Collapsible Bags on Trains to Ensure Garbage-free Track

The Salem Railway Division has come out with collapsible plastic bags that can hold up to 25 kg of garbage.
Collapsible Bags on Trains to Ensure Garbage-free Track

CHENNAI: To prevent passengers from throwing waste on the tracks through the gap in the vestibule pathway between coaches, the Salem Railway Division has come out with collapsible plastic bags that can hold up to 25 kg of garbage.

The innovation, done by the mechanical department, Salem division and used on eight trains, would be effected across Southern Railway, officials said.

The idea is simple. Plastic bags are attached to a hoop in the vestibule just beside the gap which till now was an easy outlet for passengers to toss out garbage. Wastes like plastic bottles, waste food, napkins and paper plates which get dumped on railway tracks, can now be collected through the easily disposable plastic bags.

“The bags are collapsible and hence can be folded when full. Placing a larger dustbin will hinder passenger movement through the vestibule. This doesn’t occupy much space,” said Shubhranshu, Divisional Railway Manager, Salem, speaking to Express.

“These plastic bags have a bigger capacity and will be easier for the cleaning staff to handle as well,” said the spokesperson of Salem division.

The simple idea also has a huge cost factor. “The plastic bag costs Rs 100,” said Shubhranshu. With this design, Railways would not worry about dustbins being stolen, the spokesperson chipped in. It was likely to be implemented across other zonal railways in the country as some enquiries were being  made, the DRM said.

Currrently, this in-house innovation has been used in the Chennai-Coimbatore intercity Cheran Express and six other long-distance trains. Soon private contract workers would also be stationed inside the coaches for removing the bags. The tenders have been floated, the spokesperson said. At present, two railway staff have been posted for this on the the Cheran Express which continues from Chennai to Ahmedabad as Navjivan Express.

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