VAPI

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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North Central Railway

Headquarter

Public Relations

Prayagraj

No. 11PR/05/2020Press ReleaseDate: 03.06.20

No demand of originating Shramik Special Train from02.06.20 at any station served by North Central railway territory.

More than 1.75 Lakhs migrants and other stranded persons ferriedthrough originating Shramik Specials and NCR is committed to run these specials till last demand from respective state governments is met.

Total 182terminating, 46 passing trains with stoppage over NCRbrought backmore than2.75 lakhs persons to different stations of North Central Railway.

Approximately 25 Lakhs meals and water bottles served by North Central Railway and IRCTC in close to1700 Shramik specialstrains.

As o­n 02.06.20 North Central Railway has operated 132 originating Shramik Specials catering to 177371 migrants and other stranded persons. Since running of first Shramik special train o­n 08.05.20 from Aligarh to Purnea , 02.06.20 was the first day when there was no demand for originating Shramik special train from state government atany station served by North Central Railway. Over last 25 days NCR has averaged daily5.3 originating Shramik specials clearing about 7095 persons per day with peak of 16 originating trains o­n 21.05.20 catering to maximum 20727 persons o­n any single day. This demand of originating Shramik trainhad reduced to average of 02 trains since last 5 days and no originating train was demanded at any station of NCR o­n 02.06.20 and up till 16 hrs o­n 03.06.20. Though demand for these trains have reduced substantially however North Central Railway is committed to run these special train o­n top priority whenever any demand from respective state government comes and will continue to run till last demand is fulfilled.

Similarly number of incoming Shramik Special have also reduced substantially and o­nly o­ne train terminated each o­n 1st and 2nd of June , 2020. Since handling of first incoming train from Sabarmati o­n 03.05.20, NCR has handled average 6 incoming Shramik special trains o­n dailybasis bringing back around 9210 persons daily with peak touching 18trains o­n 15.05.20 bringing back 30092 migrants & other stranded persons o­n a single day. As o­n 02.06.20 total 182 terminating and 46 passing trainswith stoppage at stations over NCR have safely brought back 276238 persons at different stations of North Central Railway . Distribution wise these 182 trains were terminated at various stations of North Central Railway like Sonbhadra( 02 train) , Prayagraj Jn.(63 trains) , Fatehpur(10 trains) ,Eath (01 train) , Etwah( 02 train) Aligarh(06 train) , Kanpur(21 trains) , Agra Cantt.(07 trains), Gwalior(10 trains) , Jhansi(04 trains) ,Orai(03 trains) , Banda(16 train) ,Chattarpur (16 trains) , Manikpur(01 train), Mirzapur (11 trains)Tikamgarh(04 trains), Chitrakoot(02 train) , Subedarganj (01 train), Mahoba(01 train) and Morena(01 train).

These trains have ferried migrants from stations like Sabarmati , Surat , Ahemdabad ,Palanpur , Godhra ,Viramgam ,Mehsana , Morabi , Anjar ,Navsari ,Dahod, Vadodara ,Surendranagar , Kanhangad , Junagarh , Kurnool , Ankleshwar ,Bengaluru , Pune ,New Delhi , Rewadi , Rohtak , Gurgaon , Firozpur ,Ludhiana , Thivim , Kopergaon, Jodhpur, Borivili , Bharuch, Katra , Sambalpur,Ghatkesar, Udaipur, Lingampalli, Madgaon, Vapi, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Ernakumlam , Nizzamuddin etc.

North Central Railway along with IRCTCensured that adequate food and water are served in all Shramik specials over its territory. As o­n 02.06.20 following meals/packaged foods and water bottles have been served in Shramik special trains:

Thus in 742 trains North Central Railway has served 1045942and IRCTC in 955 trains about 1416649meal/ food packets and water bottles till 02.06.20.A total of 1697 trains served with total2462591 meals/ food packets mainly at Prayagraj Jn., Kanpur,PrayagrajChheoki , Manikpur , Mirzapur , Tundla ,Jhansi , Agra Cantt. , Agra fort , Mathura etc .

Besides serving water bottles, Railway staff and volunteers of Scouts & Guides also ensured that drinking water from station taps is served in the container available with passengers with help of extenders. Coach watering was also attended in all Shramik trains at all watering stations of North Central Railway.