Railway to depute 'watch and ward' to check open defecation and littering near stations

NEW DELHI: As part of its green initiatives, the Indian railway will make efforts to promote use of renewable and clean energy in 26 buildings and at 200 railway stations and 2,000 level crossing gates across the country in the next fiscal. The move also includes making proper arrangements of “watch and ward to check open defecation and littering” near stations.

Highlighting those initiatives in the Rail budget for the year 2014-15, Union railway minister Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday also proposed to create ‘Green Curtains’ through landscaping and plantation to improve aesthetic ambience along the track close to the approach of major stations.

“Creation of ‘Green Curtains’ at Agra and Jaipur (two major tourist destinations in north India) stations is being undertaken on pilot basis”, said Kharge.

The ‘Green Curtains’ will involve construction of RCC boundary wall of appropriate height along the railway boundary up to a suitable distance, landscaping from the track to the wall and within station circulating area.

Arrangements for appropriate watch and ward to check open defecation and littering will also be part of the green initiatives.

Kharge said, “Once the pilot projects (at Agra and Jaipur stations) succeed, we intend to invite corporate entities to participate in this programme at other stations through their ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ initiatives, besides obtaining support of municipalities and local bodies”.

As part of promoting use of renewable and clean energy, the Railway Energy Management Company – which has already become functional – will work on setting up windmill plants, solar power plants with about 40% subsidy from ministry of new and renewable energy.

The minister said, “To begin with 200 railway stations, roof top of 26 buildings and 2,000 level crossing gates would be covered”.

It is also proposed in the rail budget to increase use of bio-toilet in more and more coaches in different trains. At present, bio-toilets are being used in about 2,500 coaches.