Railway News: IRCTC To Replace Plastic Plates With Eco-Friendly Crockery On Trains
Indian Railways has rolled out an eco-friendly initiative on Vande Bharat, Shatabdi and Bengaluru Rajdhani trains, replacing plastic crockery with biodegradable plates.
The move is expected to eliminate the use of over 50,000 plastic plates every month, saving more than 300 kg of plastic waste. The initiative is set to be implemented from March. It aligns with IRCTC’s objective of creating plastic-free train premises.
According to Jagran.com, the environment-friendly initiative will be rolled out on the following trains:
– Vande Bharat
– Shatabdi
– Bengaluru Rajdhani Express
After successful implementation on these trains, the initiative will be extended to other premium and long-distance services.
What Are The Advantages Of Using Biodegradable Materials?
Biodegradable plates are made from natural materials such as vegetable and fruit peels, paper and other organic waste. One of their key benefits is that they decompose naturally within three to six months. In contrast, plastic plates can take 400-500 years to decompose, making biodegradable alternatives more environmentally sustainable.
Indian Railways To Phase Out Base Kitchens
Indian Railways is planning to shut down its base kitchens and introduce cluster kitchens, which would allow passengers to order food through various cloud kitchens. Under the current system, IRCTC procures raw materials and prepares food in base kitchens through private contractors. Under the proposed system, base kitchens will be closed, and cluster kitchens will be opened, shifting responsibility for food preparation and quality oversight to private operators.
