ER lists initiatives to protect environment

Kolkata: In order to protect the environment, Eastern Railway has taken various initiatives throughout the year during 2018-2019, including afforestation and rain water harvesting among others.

Also, stress has been given to introduce bio-toilets, adaptation of renewable energy, energy conservation and environmental sustainability, through reduction in carbon footprint.

Solar power plants have been installed at Kolkata Terminal Station with a capacity of 500 KWp and a similar installation with a capacity of 1,350 KWp has been put up at Howrah Station. At Narkeldanga RPF Barrack and at Liluah workshop, large rooftop solar power installation has been completed during the year, with grid connectivity.

Afforestation including creation of mini forest, green parks and green zone has taken place in all 4 divisions of Eastern Railway, during the year. As many as 4,99,608 trees have been planted all over Eastern Railway's jurisdiction in 2018-2019.

In Asansol division, Shatabdi Park has been developed with waterbodies and plantation of 1,000 trees covering 14,000 sq. mtrs of green area.

Another 10 parks have been renovated in various railway colonies in Asansol and Andal areas. Mini forests have been developed in vacant and encroachment-prone lands in Asansol division. In Liluah workshop, green zones have been developed on scrap yards with cultivation of organic fruits and vegetables, including a bio-gas plant. Rain Water Harvesting is a priority in the green initiative of Eastern Railway and in 12 locations, water harvesting facilities have been introduced during 2018-2019, including RPF barracks at Sealdah and Katwa, Madhupur, Jasidih, Durgapur, Ranigunge and Bandel station buildings.

In 2018-2019, 5,382 bio-toilets have been fitted in passenger coaches, which cover 90% of Eastern Railway coaches having provision of toilets and progressively, bio-toilets will be installed in all coaches within 2019.

Provision of LED lights has been made at 573 stations under Eastern Railway, which has cut down heavily on electricity usage, resulting in annual savings to the tune of Rs 14.67 crore.