National Green Tribunal Order on Clean Railways Hailed
COIMBATORE: Many have hailed as significant the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) order to the Indian Railways to take steps to maintain cleanliness, including fining offenders `5,000 for littering platforms and tracks.
The NGT order of March 18 also directed the railway authorities to place dustbins on platforms, collect and transport waste to treatment plants instead of directly releasing it into the sewer system and to install mobile toilets near slum clusters alongside railway tracks.
Garbage collection using dustbins and disposal of collected waste with the help of local body are already being done in most railway stations, said an official. "The levying of a fine of `5,000 will definitely be useful in preventing passengers from throwing waste just about anywhere. It will create some fear about disregarding rules. However, construction of mobile toilets in slum areas is not practical, as it would need more planning, besides funds," he added.
Jameel Ahmed, president, Coimbatore Railway Users’ Welfare Association, hailed the move to fining those who litter station premises. "Passengers do not have the patience to look for a dustbin and throw the waste where they stand. They are still not aware of their role and responsibility in maintaining a clean environment. The hefty fine will yield the expected result and restrain passengers from littering. With proper implementation, it will change their attitude," he said.
"The construction of adequate toilets inside all station premises and placing more dustbins will help passengers to obey rules," he added.
"Spitting and urination are also major problems coming in the way of hygienic environments at railway stations," said Balaji, a frequent railway user. "It can be controlled by imposing a heavy fine. After people were fined for smoking in trains, the practice has almost stopped. The fine will help end littering too. Strict enforcement of rules is important to get better results, which is the objective of the NGT's order," he added.
However, it will take the railway authorities some time to implement the NGT's order.
"The existing rules of the Railways do not allow fining passengers for littering station premises or tracks. Based on the order from NGT, a feasibility study has to be conducted on it," said Salem Divisional Railway Manager Shubhranshu. "The new rules would be put into force based on the results of the study. However, we have to wait for further developments regarding the order," he added.