ALLAHABAD: For maintaining cleanliness in trains and the station premises, Indian Railways has launched a Catering Waste Management System. The new system sets the procedure for collection and disposal of waste arising out of pantry car services and static units placed at the station premises.Mani Anand, executive director/tourism and catering in the railway board, had sent letters in this regard to the general managers of all the zonal railways, including North Central Railway, on September 13, 2011. Instructions were also given to all zonal railways to encourage eco-friendly packaging material for service of food and beverages at stations and on trains.The procedure order elucidated on handling waste and its disposal in pantry car services. It mentioned that in all pantry cars, big-sized plastic/steel refuse bins, with a proper cover preferably, which need not be touched by hands for opening, should be placed at such locations so that it does not contaminate...
more... the food processes and storage areas.The refuse bins should be emptied periodically and washed daily with a disinfectant and dried before next use. Further, there should be provision of placement of big size plastic bags inside the refuse bins to collect the waste. In case of licensee operated service, the refuse bins/plastic bags shall be supplied by the licensees.All waste materials arising out of preparation of food, if any, in pantry cars should be collected in the refuse bins. All bearers/waiters will collect the waste material like empty casserole containers, mineral water bottles/pouches, glasses, cutlery, napkins, in the respective coaches after makings services to the customers and will collect the wastes in the same container.They should under no circumstances throw away material in the vestibule in the coach. They should not throw the waste material from the running train. The refuse bins will be prominently painted in three colours viz green (for biodegradable waste), white (for recyclable waste) and black (all other waste).The sanitary workers nominated by the designated department at the platform will collect these bags along with other waste of the station and will dispose them of along with regular waste so as to ensure its clearance from the stations.The above-mentioned instructions have also been issued for static catering units at stations. In addition, under no circumstances, any material should be thrown outside the stalls/catering units. In case any catering waste is found lying around 2 m of the stalls, the responsibility will be fixed on the static catering units at the platform. The waste material collected in the plastic bags should be secured properly so as to not litter the area while transporting the plastic waste bags.Further, the Railway Board has also instructed for frequent inspections at various levels and ensure that the rules are adhered to strictly.