NFR may ban use of plastic at railway stations

GUWAHATI: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is considering a ban on use of plastic materials in railway stations under its jurisdiction. It said water and energy audits at regular intervals will also start soon.
An NFR statement said the National Green Tribunal (NGT), in a January 22 order, had asked the Indian Railways to identify 5% of the 720 major stations to prepare a station-wise action plan to maintain cleanliness.Guwahati and Katihar stations of NFR have been included in the list for making them Eco Smart Stations as per the ISO 14001 standard laid down by BIS. Guwahati railway station has already received the ISO 14001 tag.
NFR chief public relations officer Pranav Jyoti Sharma said more stations under NFR will be included under the Eco Smart Stations project. "NFR authority will coordinate with urban local bodies of various areas for solid and plastic waste management and might even consider banning use of plastic materials at railway stations," he added.
Sharma said preparations are on to chalk out an action plan for implementation the project in major stations. He added that per the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, the Railways may also apply 'polluter pay' principle to recover the restoration cost of damage. He said the Railways has been authorized to collect fine of Rs 5,000 from offenders who continue to dump waste even after issuance of notice.