Central Railway launches anti-plastic campaign across Mumbai Division and Matunga
Central Railway has intensified its anti-plastic and environmental sustainability campaign across its network, including the Matunga workshop and stations in the Mumbai Division, ahead of World Environment Day on June 5. The campaign, which was launched on May 15, features inspections, workshops, and awareness drives aimed at reducing single-use plastics and promoting eco-friendly practices.
The initiative has engaged railway staff, passengers, vendors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and school children. Activities are being conducted across the Mumbai, Bhusaval, Nagpur, Pune, and Solapur divisions, as well as railway workshops in Matunga, Sanpada, and Nashik Road.
In the Mumbai Division, officials conducted inspections at station vendor stalls to enforce the ban on single-use plastics. Vendors were encouraged to switch to biodegradable alternatives, while public announcement systems at stations advised commuters to carry reusable water bottles instead of purchasing packaged water.
A key event of the campaign was a specialised seminar held at Matunga. The seminar focused on reducing microplastic pollution from flexible packaging waste. During the session, employees were trained to partially cut liquid pouches, such as milk and oil packets, in a way that keeps the cut portion attached to the packet. This technique prevents small plastic fragments from detaching and entering the environment.
Additionally, environmental awareness sessions were held for school children in the Mumbai Division. Other divisions also participated, with Pune Division organising drawing competitions and Nashik Road station urging passengers to use installed Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines.
"Central Railway remains committed to sustainable infrastructure reforms and appeals to passengers to actively support efforts to keep railway premises free of single-use plastics," said Dr. Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway.
At various workshops and depots, railway officials also conducted water quality inspections, serviced reverse osmosis (RO) water purifiers, and cleaned water refilling points to encourage passengers and staff to reduce their dependence on disposable plastic bottles.
