New Delhi : Air pollution is a big problem in Delhi-NCR. In winter, this problem is further aggravated by which several steps are being taken to deal with it and the railway administration will also extend all possible support in it. For this, preparations are being made to make the railway premises environment friendly. There will be regular monitoring of air pollution levels in the stations as well as in the goods sheds and other railway premises and necessary steps will be taken to maintain the level of standards.
Improvement in environmental management system will improve the situation
Officials say that the best environmental management system is being emphasized. Many steps are being taken to improve power and water usage, improve sanitation, keeping in mind sanitation standards, separate dry and wet waste, greenery and renewable energy. Adequate number of personnel are deployed and machines are being used for better sanitation. Solar panels have been installed at other stations and offices including New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Hazrat Nizamuddin and the work is going on. Maintaining cleanliness and stopping pollution at the Goods Shed is a major challenge along with the stations. There are total 43 sheds in Delhi division including Delhi Kishanganj Shakurbasti, Patel Nagar, Tughlakabad, Adarsh Nagar. Due to transportation of cement and other goods, the problem of pollution does not increase, Steps will also be taken for this. In a review meeting, General Manager of Northern Railway, Rajiv Chaudhary has directed the officials of all the divisions to create environment friendly environment in the railway premises.
NGT has also expressed resentment
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had said in December last year that railway stations come under the purview of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Here permission should be obtained from the concerned environmental agencies for these activities. The NGT has also expressed displeasure over the delay in this work last week and within three months all major stations in the country have been given time to apply to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The board will settle it within three months of applying.
Environmental certificates
The Ministry of Railways has decided to certify all major stations as environment friendly. All stations have been asked to conduct environmental audits and obtain ISO-14001 certification. Many stations including New Delhi, Old Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin have received environment related certificates.
