Keeping up with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for eliminating the menace of plastic waste, Indian Railways has directed all its units to enforce a ban on single use plastics, with less than 50 micron thickness, from 2 October 2019, the Railways Ministry has said in a press release.

The Railways has made the announcement prior to the date to ensure that the vendors can switch to alternatives so that passengers are not inconvenienced. All vendors are to avoid use of plastic carry bags from the said date.

Towards the drive, IRCTC will implement return of plastic drinking water bottles as part of Extended Producer Responsibility while plastic bottle crushing machines will also be provided expeditiously for other vendors.

The Railways has also directed its staff to reduce, reuse and refuse plastic products and to use inexpensive reusable bags to reduce plastic footprint. Railways will also take up Information, Education & Communication (IEC) measures to create awareness among railway users as part of the drive against plastics.