Twenty railway stations in Kerala coming under the A+ and A categories, among 408 such stations across the country, have been earmarked by Railways to be equipped with an efficient waste disposal system. The system envisages separate dustbins for collection of biodegradable (wet) and non-biodegradable (dry) wastes on the platforms and all passenger interface areas.
The move is part of a railway initiative for environment-friendly disposal of waste.
All railway zones have been directed to train the staff engaged in cleaning duties for collection and further handling for final disposal of segregated dry and wet waste from the dustbins.
Railway zones were directed last Monday to provide the facility in all A+ category railway stations with immediate effect and at the A category railway stations by the end of the year. It means that Thiruvananthapuram Central, Ernakulam Junction, Thrissur and Kozhikode stations will be equipped with the system before the end of this month.
The A category railway stations in the State where the system is to be implemented by the year end are Alappuzha, Aluva, Chengannur, Kanhangad, Kannur, Kasaragod, Kayamkulam, Kollam, Kottayam, Palakkad, Payyannur, Shoranur, Thalassery, Tirur, Thiruvalla, and Vadakara.
The dustbin with polythene liner bags for biodegradable waste will be green in colour and those for non-biodegradable waste will be black in colour.
Railways have already given directions that for environment-friendly disposal of waste from pantry cars and eatery stalls on platforms, adequate dustbins on platforms and by the side of stalls at all railway stations should be provided.
