Green court raps Railways for failing to check littering on tracks

“We have one of the greatest heritage in the world. What will the people coming to national Capital think about the state of affairs in the country. At least you all do some work honestly,” a Bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, said.

The Bench was hearing a plea, seeking a blanket ban on use and sale of plastic products on railway platforms across the country, besides imposing a ban on open defecation around the tracks.

The green panel asked the Railways’ counsel to show how many people were fined for throwing garbage on railway tracks as directed by it earlier.

The counsel submitted that although some people were fined by the authorities but most of them were poor, unwilling and incapable to pay  the fine imposed by the tribunal for throwing garbage on tracks.

“You (Railways) don’t do the charity at the cost of others. You are creating a havoc in the society. Just travel five minutes from New Delhi Railway Station towards Sadar Bazaar and Sabzi Mandi areas and you will find huge heaps of garbage thrown on and <g data-gr-id="50">besides</g> railway tracks,” the Bench said.

It asked the counsel for Railways whether dustbins have been installed in those localities and whether people were being made aware about it as directed by the Tribunal.

The counsel submitted that though in some areas dustbins were kept, people were still dumping garbage on tracks.

“We have honest officials who are continuously working to sort out the problem and want the things to be done,” the counsel submitted.

The Bench, however, looked dissatisfied with the submission and said: “If you were so honest, nothing in the world would have deterred you from taking measures. You have Tribunal’s order, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and workers at your disposal.” The green panel, then, asked the Railways to take an area as a case study and put all measures to dissuade people from throwing garbage on tracks and then replicate the same at other places.

“You need to provide incentives and encourage people to throw garbage in dustbins and if anyone still throws garbage and refuses to pay fine, take them into custody,” the Bench added.

It also asked the Railways to place on record the picture of the area, in which the work is being <g data-gr-id="42">done,</g> and give the names of the people who have been fined for littering.

The Bench had on July 2 directed the Railways to submit a list of offenders, who have refused to pay <g data-gr-id="54">fine</g> and dumped waste on the tracks.

Taking a stern view on houses constructed near railway tracks, the Tribunal had directed that if any municipal solid waste is found on tracks, each person living in those houses and throwing garbage shall be liable to pay Rs 5,000 as compensation for causing pollution.