In Southern Railway, Central Workshop at Ponmalai and Tiruchchirappalli Junction bagged GreenCo Gold Rating Certifications.Dr.PuratchiThalaivar MGR Chennai Central also received GreenCo certification for adopting best environmental-friendly practices.
Golden Rock Workshop (GOC), Trichy has been awarded ‘Certificate of Merit’ in Railway Workshop Category in the National Energy Conservation Award, 2020, conducted by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) [Ministry of Power]. In addition, GOC Workshop has been adjudged as ‘Excellent Energy Unit’ during 21st National Energy Award for excellence in Energy Management, 2020, conducted by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
72 railway stations across Southern Railway have obtained ISO:14001 Certifications that include 19 stations in Chennai Division, 17 stations in Trivandrum, 15 stations in Palakkad Division, 8 stations in Madurai, 7 stations in Tiruchchirappalli and 6 stations in Salem Divisions respectively.
Plastic Bottle Crushing Machine at Stations
IR has taken various initiatives to reduce, recycle and dispose of plastic waste generated in stations in an eco-friendly manner. A comprehensive policy on installation of plastic bottle crushing machines (PBCM) at stations was introduced on 27 September 2019. A total of 585 PBCM machines have already been installed at more than 400 railway stations and more are in process.
In Southern Railway 34 Nos. of Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines (PBCM) have been installed at 30 railway stations. In addition, Plastic Bottle Crushing Machine is being developed in-house in Central Workshop/GOC.
Integrated Mechanised Cleaning At Stations
Until 2015, cleaning of different parts of the stations were being done by separate agencies. To make the process more effective, use of machines was gradually encouraged. Further, the integrated mechanised cleaning of selected stations was started to ensure integrated cleaning of all parts of the station with the use of the latest cleaning machines such as high pressure jet cleaners, floor scrubbers etc.
● Mechanized cleaning contracts have been provided at around 950 stations, increasing from around 450 stations in 2014.
- Use of CCTVs has been intensified for monitoring of cleanliness activities at about 700 stations, increasing from 250 stations in March 2015.
- From 2015, provision of dustbin started in non AC coaches under mission Swachh Bharat. It has been decided to place a centralised supply contract from the board. Tenders have been opened and bids are under scrutiny for 17,458 dustbins (8,729 coaches). Sanctions are available for 15,000 LHB coaches.
In Southern Railway, of the 72 railway stations identified for obtaining Consent to Operate (CTO), sanction has been accorded for 39 stations.
Further, Automatic Organic waste composting plant is installed at Chengalpattu and at Trivandrum Central railway stations. Bio-gas plant is provided at Tirunelveli. 2 Nos. composting pits are available at Palakkad and 4 Composting bins are available at Shoranur. The total capacity of these Plants is 1750 Kg/day.
Mechanised Cleaning of Coaches & Water Recycling Plants
Mechanised Cleaning of Coaches is being carried out through around 160 coaching depots. Machines like high pressure jet cleaners, floor scrubbers, wet and dry vacuum cleaners, hand held buffing machines, etc. are deployed for the purpose. Exterior cleaning of coaches is done mainly by high pressure jet cleaning machines and large brushes on washing lines (pit line) at coaching depots.
In Southern Railway Water/Effluent Recycling Plants are installed at 10 locations and the total capacity of the Plants is 4320 Kilo litres/day.