VALSAD

W. RLY TO ADD 25 MORE PLASTIC BOTTLE CRUSHING MACHINES AT STATIONS OF MUMBAI DIVISION TO REDUCE THE PLASTIC FOOTPRINTS

16 Bottle Crushing Machines have already been installed at various stations and Six more are under process of installation through CSR at W.Rly’s Mumbai Division

Photo Caption: Representative images of Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines to be installed at various stations ofW.Rly’s Mumbai Division, under Non Fare Revenue (NFR) module

Indian Railways have taken various initiatives to reduce, recycle and dispose plastic waste generated at stations in an eco-friendly manner. Western Railway has been in the forefront to take ahead this initiative in the right direction and has introduced a slew of pioneering initiatives for conservation of ourenvironment. o­ne such noble initiative has been to install Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines (PBCMs) at strategic and prominent locations at stations, in order to motivate passengers to dispose plastic waste in a responsible manner. In continuation to this, it has been decided that 25 more such machines will be installed at various stations of WR's Mumbai division in near future, under Non Fare Revenue module.

According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar- Chief Public Relations Officer ofWestern Railway, various specific efforts and initiatives have been undertaken by Western Railway under the dynamic leadership of Shri Alok Kansal - General Manager of Western Railway. It is pertinent to mention that, a total of 16 Bottle Crushing Machines have already been installed under CSR at various stations of Mumbai Division viz., Churchgate (1), Mumbai Central (3), Bandra Terminus (2), Andheri (2), Borivali (1), Vapi (1), Valsad (1), Navsari (1), Udhana (1), Surat (3) and six more are under process of installation through CSR at Churchgate (1), Charni Road (1), Mumbai Central (1), Dadar (1), Vasai Road (1) and Valsad (1). Shri Bhakar stated that if these Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines are procured though expenditure module, the same will cost around Rs. 3,50,000/- per machine including cost of machine as well as other incidental expenses. Instead of procurement of Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines o­n expenditure module, Mumbai Division decided to acquire these machines o­n earning module with a dual objective of to curb expenditure and to earn Non Fare Revenue, wherein Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines provider will get opportunity to earn through display of advertisements o­n Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines as well as sale of plastic flakes collected in the machine. With continuous and enthusiastic efforts of Non Fare Revenue (NFR) team, W. Rly’s Mumbai Division has braved every odds in this challenging scenario of COVID – 19 pandemic and has been successful in tapping an offer of Rs.15,000/- per annum with 5 year earning potential of Rs.82,985/- wherein bidder will provide as well as maintain 25 Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines approx costing Rs. 3,50,000/- each for 5 years at 16 stations viz. Churchgate (4), Mumbai Central (3), Lower Parel (1), Prabhadevi (1), Dadar(2), Matunga Road (1), Mahim (1), Bandra (1), Bandra Terminus (2), Andheri (2), Malad (1), Kandivali (1), Borivali (2), Vasai Road (1), Nalasopara (1) & Virar (1) stations. With this commendable effort, Western Railway has not o­nly garnered an additional revenue to the tune of Rs. 82,985/- (5 years earning potential) in the form of license fees, but has also saved the cost of procurement of these machines which will run into anywhere around Rs. 87,50,000/-.

 Shri Bhakar stated that W. Rly fully supports the ban o­n single use plastic items and hence it has banned the use of plastic cups, glasses, plates etc.  WR also runs ‘No Plastic’ awarenesscampaigns from time-to-time to spread awareness about the ill effects of plastic o­n the environment. W. Rly urges its esteemed passengers to join hands with us in this noble cause in order to conserve our Mother Nature for the better future of our coming generations.

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ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, WR'S GM SAID - "TAKE CARE OF NATURE & NATURE WILL TAKE CARE OF US"

WR INTRODUCED VARIOUS PIONEERING INITIATIVES

FOR CONSERVATION OF ENVIORNMENT

Photo Caption: In the first photo, Shri Alok Kansal – General Manager of W. Rly is seen administering a pledge to save plants and in the second photo, Shri Kansal is seen planting a sapling at his residence o­n the occasion of 'World Environment Day' o­n 5th June, 2020, while the last photo is of the environment friendly bench installed at Churchgate station made using by recycled plastic.

The 'World Environment Day' was observed by Western Rly o­n 5th June, 2020 with this year’s theme 'Celebrate Biodiversity’ with an aim to spread awareness about conserving our environment. To mark this occasion, Shri Alok Kansal – General Manager of W. Rly administered a pledge to Additional GM, allPrincipal Heads of various Departments, Divisional Rly Managers & other senior railway officers through video conference from his residence in Mumbai, to save plants and took the lead by planting a sapling at his residence. Shri Kansal said o­n this occasion, that he believes in the mantra “We should take care of Nature & Nature will take care of us” and he exhorted the same message while addressing the Video Conference o­n this occasion. GM shri Kansal also planted a sapling in the garden of his residential premises o­n this occasion.

According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar- Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, various specific efforts and initiatives have been undertaken by Western Railway under the dynamic leadership of General Manager Shri Alok Kansal, for mitigating environmental impacts and reduce Green House Gas emissions, which have resulted in desired outcomes. In view of the prevailing Covid-19 situation, Western Railway observed the World Environment Day digitally through Video conference along with Power point Presentation, which was presided by General Manager Shri Kansal alongwith Additional GM, all PHODs & DRMsand other senior officers. Speaking o­n the occasion of World Environment Day, while addressing the HQ & Divisional officers in a VC, Shri Alok Kansal stressed upon the need to take all possible steps in the day to day working of Railways to conserve environment & find ways to protect Biodiversity. Some of the major issues were discussed included; Reduce Pollution – Solid Waste Disposal Plants, Effluent treatment plants,Conserve resources - Plastic recycling, Conserve Water – rain water harvesting systems, water recycling plants, water audits, Automatic coach washing plants and last but not the least toConserve Energy – Energy audits, HOG, Sky pipe lighting. Taking forward this commitment to ensure environment friendly initiatives, Western Railway is steadfast to guarantee a safer and cleaner environment and is taking all efforts to conserve as well as preserve the beauty of our Mother Earth intact.

On this occasion, W. Rly’s social media platforms have come out with a motivational video which spreads the message in a subtle manner. In this WR story, Baba Vantastic with his vast knowledge of earthly affairs gives the discourse to this disturbed follower that our human nature should be thoughtful & kind to our “NATURE”. Baba Vantastic motivates people to save the environment for a greener future just as W. Rly has contributed in a big way in preserving the environment and has reiterated their commitment towards this cause.

Shri Bhakar further informed that during the last year 2019-20, W.Rly initiated many activities and programmes to achieve & sustain Environmental Goals. WR ran ‘No Plastic’ campaigns from time-to-time to spread awareness about the ill effects of plastic o­n the environment. WR encourages single use plastic ban and hence it has banned the use of plastic cups, glasses, plates etc. Mumbai Central station was accredited with ISO 14001:2015 Certification in May 2019. o­n the similar line, 38 more stations of Mumbai Central division will acquire ISO 14001:2015 certification shortly. An Effluent Treatment Plant commissioned at Surat with a capacity of 60 KLD for Mechanized Laundry Surat o­n “Turn Key Basis". An Effluent Treatment Plant of 1 MLD (million litres per day) already commissioned at Bandra Terminus where waste water is treated and then used for coach washing and other activities. Western Railway has also installed benches made out of recycled plastic bottles at Churchgate station.

Shri Bhakar stated that various activities in this direction were initiated by Mumbai Division of W. Rly, o­n this occasion, even in the times of Covid-19 pandemic. A Webinar was conducted o­n 4th June, 2020 regarding Environment Management in Indian Railways by Mr Amit Thakkar, Scientist at Central Pollution Control Board to sensitize and raise awareness among staff and officers alike.Tree plantation drive of saplings of various indigenous species was organised at 10 separate locations to promote biodiversity o­n the occasion of World Environment Day. Some of the projects by W. Rly in the pipeline are:

1. The work of recharging and reviving existing dry open wells along with rainwater harvesting facility at Valsad, Bilimora and Udhna is being undertaken.
2. Solar Energy plant of 1 MW capacity to be installed at Bandra Terminus o­n Power Purchase Agreement with Solar Energy Corporation of India. This will facilitate power procurement at Rs 3.50 per unit as against a much higher rate currently being purchased from various agencies.
3. Installation of Sky pipe day lighting system (182 Nos) at Platforms & PRS of Mumbai Central station.

4.Green Rating Certification & Sun pipe Installation for Valsad Depot.

5.Green Rating Certification of Various Establishments of Western Railway, Mumbai.

6. IGBC Building Certification of Jagjeevan Ram Hospital, DRM Office Building, and CCG HQ building is under process.

7.Certification of environment standard ISO 14001:2015 for 38 NSG/SG stations of Mumbai Central Division along with surveillance audit and training.

8. “Environment Regulatory Requirement under Air Act, Water Act & Hazardous Waste Management Rules and Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 by obtaining due consent to operate or establish or both (as applicable for the units) for 6 Railway Stns.
9. An Automatic Coach Washing Plant is being commissioned at Coaching Depot Mumbai Central.
10. Setting up of waste water treatment plant through Phyto- remediation, Cap-225 KLD o­n “Turn Key Basis" at Dahisar Railway Colony.
11. Procurement of Eco-friendly disposable Napkins (Face towels) cotton rich spun lace non-woven for Surat & Valsad Depot.

12.Improvement of Maintenance Facilities of EOG Coaches at Mumbai Central and Bandra Terminus.

13. Supply and installation of 128 No. Stainless steel dual pole mounted Dustbin.

World Environment Day is celebrated as an annual event by the people all across the globe o­n 5th of June every year in order to increase the awareness among people about the environment safety as well as to demonstrate the environmental conservation measures. W. Rly also exhorts its esteemed passengers to join hands with us in this noble cause to dispense their duties in order to conserve our Mother Nature for the better future of our coming generations.

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