The Central and Western Railways have received flak from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for not complying with waste disposal norms.
The Central and Western Railways have received flak from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for not complying with waste disposal norms.
The MPCB has served a show cause notice to both the CR and WR because of their failure to obtain consent for the management of solid waste generated at stations across Mumbai. and given them 15 days to apply for consent, failing which railway officials will face prosecution.
Also, railway authorities are dumping garbage collected from the station premise onto roads that fall under the BMC’s jurisdiction. MPCB has already undertaken the task of conducting a detailed survey of all rail stations in terms of cleanliness, noise pollution, collection and disposal of waste.
“It has been brought to our notice that a variety of wastes like plastic, tetra-packs, wrappers, empty bottles collected by sweepers along the platforms are rampantly burnt on railway stations, thus causing serious air pollution,” asserted DB Boralkar, member secretary, MPCB.
The Board has dashed off a letter to stop this burning and collect the waste.
The BMC adds that the railway have resisted following their rules, saying that as a Central body they are bound by Central rules. Thus, the Board then decided to use Central laws like the Water (Prevention and Control Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control Pollution) Act, 1981 along with the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 asking railways for compliance or face court.
The railways have been caught by surprise over the notice. “We are open to discussion and ready to comply with the order. Under our waste management policy, we collect and place the waste in municipal area, which the civic authorities have to collect. If they (civic) officials are not doing their job efficiently, we cannot be held responsible,” said a WR spokesperson.
The CR too placed the blame on the BMC. “The corporation has land for dumping solid waste, which we don’t. All we can do is segregate the waste. We will consult the civic officials on this issue,” said a CR spokesperson.
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