World Environment Day: Check out the measures undertaken by the Indian Railways

In view of World Environment Day which is celebrated on June 5, Indian Railways is working in mission mode to become the largest Green Railways in the world and is moving towards becoming a “net zero carbon emitter” before 2030.

On Central Railways, the total track km electrified during 2014-21 is 1895 km in Maharashtra, 145 km in Madhya Pradesh and 193 km in Karnataka.  Work of electrification is in progress on three sections totalling 555 track km.

Electrification offers advantages like:

• Environmental-friendly mode of transport
• Reduced dependence on imported diesel fuel, thereby saving precious foreign currency and reduced carbon footprints
• Reduced operating cost
• Haulage of heavier freight trains and longer passenger trains with high haulage capacity of Electric Locomotives leading to increased throughput
• Increased sectional capacity by eliminating detention on account of traction change
• Reduced Operating and Maintenance Cost of Electric Loco

Apart from the electrification work, the Railways also plans to imbibe the following:

• Improving Cleanliness Through Bio Toilets
• Plastic Bottle Crushing Machine at Stations on Indian Railways to segregate waste
• Ecosystem Restoration: Solar Energy and Energy-saving LEDs
• Installation of Automatic Coach Washing Plant (ACWP) to Save Water
• Rainwater Harvesting to Conserve Water

Meanwhile, World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 and is the United Nations route to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment. Moreover, the day is celebrated across the globe to inform people that nature should not be taken for granted and must be respected for its values before it is too late.

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