From 'Swachh Bharat' to 'Swachh railway': 4 model stations to lead way

NEW DELHI: The railway stations at Okha, Porbandar, Rameshwaram and Katra are being developed as green stations, and the railways aims to achieve zero waste discharge from trains starting from and ending here. Among other steps, the transporter will ensure that all trains passing through these stations are fitted with biotoilets, aimed at eliminating direct discharge from passenger coaches.

The next step, though ambitious, aims at developing more such green stations, along with green depots, green divisions and green corridors in line with rail ways minister Suresh Prabhu's initiative of `Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat'. A senior railway official said the concerned zonal branches of railways have been asked to pre pare action plans along with spe cific timelines to meet the target.

The transporter has already retro-fitted 17,000 coaches with biodegradable toilets, and member (mechanical) Hemant Kumar has said that another 17,000 will be equipped with the same in the coming year. An official said the main advantage of bio-toilets is that human excreta will not spill on to the tracks and spoil the station premises.

The transporter, though, is facing several issues with bio-toilets as many passengers are not aware of their use. Discarding papers, polythene bags, sanitary napkins, plastic bottles and cloth rags choke these toilets. Railways is trying to sensitize passengers about their use.