Pune\, Nashik Road junctions nominated for ‘Eco-Smart Stn’

Pune, Nashik Road junctions nominated for ‘Eco-Smart Stn’

Sushant Ranjan
09.57 AM

PUNE: The Indian Railways is all set to identify the ‘Eco-Smart Station’ as per the direction of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The Central Railway (CR) has nominated Pune Junction and Nashik Road Junction for the same. The order to this effect was passed on Tuesday.

In January, the NGT directed the Railways to identify and develop at least 36 ‘Eco-Smart stations’ within two weeks. A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel told the Railways that ‘polluter pays’ principle may be invoked by regulatory authorities, including the Railways, for compliance of Solid Waste and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

“The 36 stations may be developed as model stations and can be replicated in phases and may be called eco-smart stations,” the Bench said.

“Such stations may be identified within two weeks and notified on the website. For the said 36 stations, nodal officers may be identified and notified. Report of compliance may be filed after three months by e-mail,” the Bench said.

A highly-placed source from Pune Division said, “The CR has nominated Pune Junction and Nashik Road Junction for eco-smart stations on Tuesday. As per the nomination, both the stations will be developed as green stations. As per the instruction of the NGT, these two stations may have their own websites to receive grievances and suggestions, particularly with regard to cleanliness and hygiene issues.”

“The Tribunal observed there is an urgent need for the railway administration to have effective implementation and monitoring mechanism for fixing accountability. Accordingly, the Tribunal directed that updated action plans be framed on or before November 30, 2018, which may be notified on the websites for comments of the general public and plan to be finalised on or before March 31, 2019,” said the officer.

“The Tribunal earlier directed the railways to submit an action plan for maintaining cleanliness on platforms and tracks and had asked the Comptroller and Auditor General to conduct a performance audit at regular intervals,” said the source.