GREEN DRIVE ON RIGHT TRACK CR confident of 100% plastic ban in food sale

Mumbai: Central Railway (CR)'s decision to ban the sale of food items wrapped in plastic and other non-biodegradable material has been gaining momentum. Nearly all 200-odd stall operators in Mumbai division have complied with the rule after it came into effect from May 22. 

    The Medha Patkar-led stall operators association has opposed the move on the grounds that the 'ad-hoc' decision will affect the livelihood of stall operators, who have already seen 50% drop in sale in the past one week. 

    A senior CR official said, "Our inspectors are visiting all platforms to counsel the stall operators to comply with this decision as it is in the long term interest of the railways, commuters and the city. The efforts have yielded results as we will able to ensure compliance before midnight of May 31." 

    Railway officials said the wrappings made from banned material are thrown by commuters on the track. It then clogs drains, causing waterlogging on the tracks during heavy rains. 

    However, the ban is only applicable to stations and platforms from where suburban trains operate. Hence, food stalls, including the railway-operated Jan Ahaar, are still selling food items in plastic wrappings. 

    The official said, "The problem is more acute on suburban platforms because of the volume of consumption and trash that follows on the track. We have seen a noticeable change as the tracks re free of litter ever since the time the decision came into effect." 

    A total of 25 food items like cakes, biscuits, wafers and other salted snacks have been withdrawn from sale as they come in the non-biodegradable packing made of plastic, metalized film packets, sulphite paper packing, aluminum foil packing, etc. 

    The official said, "So far, only stall owners have protested against the move. However, there has bee no opposition either from the commuters or passenger association." 

    Officials said CR is planning to introduce more varieties of food that are fresh and can be served in non-biodegradable packets to ensure that commuters have adequate choice.