Indian Railways declare 60 stations as plastic free

Indian Railways have taken a laudable step in 60 stations to make them plastic free - these stations are under the Chakradharpur railway division and include Tatanagar in Jharkhand and Rourkela in Odisha. The division has a total of 77 stations under its charge and out of these, 60 have been declared free from the menace of plastics.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 3 February 2016.

This was possible after a month-long drive throughout January against the use of plastics and littering at these 60-odd stations which have catering units and food stalls. The stations of Tatanagar, Rourkela, Chakradharpur and Jharsuguda have yielded positive results and, after a thorough review, the division has been declared as a plastic-free zone. These 60 stations are commercial stations which have catering stalls and vendors also put up their food stalls.
The use of plastic cups and glasses, polythene bags and thermocol cups and glasses have been completely banned at catering units and food stalls. Mineral water will continue to be sold in plastic bottles but, passengers would have to throw empty bottles and snacks and biscuit packets in designated dustbins.
As an alternative to plastics, paper bags and other paper products will be promoted on railway premises - these are eco-friendly and do not have environment or health hazards.
Severe penalty would be levied on violators - to have suitable checks on stall owners and catering units on platforms, spot fines ranging from between Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 are proposed depending on the seriousness of offense.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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