বাংলায় পড়ুন
Not only fashionably planting trees on World Environment Day on June 5 but Eastern Railway for its concern for the environment, had taken various initiatives throughout the year during 2018-2019 focusing afforestation, rain water harvesting and provision of 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 similar installation with a capacity of 1350 KWp at Howrah Station. At Narkeldanga RPF Barrack and at Liluah workshop, large roof-top solar power installation has been completed during the year with grid connectivity.
Afforestation including creation of mini forest, green park and green zone have taken place in all four divisions of Eastern Railway during the year. As many as 499608 trees have been planted all over Eastern Railway in 2018-2019. In Asansol division, Shatabdi Park has been developed with water bodies, plantation of 1000 trees covering 14,000 square metres of green area. Another 10 parks have been renovated in various railway colonies in Asansol and Andal area. Mini forests have been developed in vacant and encroachment-prone lands in Asansol division. In Liluah workshop also, green zones have been developed at the scrap yard with cultivation of organic fruit, vegetable etc including a bio-gas plant.
Rain water harvesting is a priority in green initiative of Eastern Railway and in 12 locations water harvesting facilities have been introduced during 2018-2019 including RPF barrack at Sealdah and at Katwa, Madhupur, Jasidih,Durgapur, Ranigaunge and Bandel station buildings.
In 2018-2019, as many as 5382 bio-toilets have been fitted in passenger coaches which cover 90 per cent of Eastern Railway coaches having provision of toilets and progressively bio-toilets will be installed in all coaches within 2019.
Provision of LED light have been completed in 573 stations over Eastern Railway resulted in annual savings of electricity to the tune of Rs 14.67 crore in energy bills. LED conversion had been completed in 305 service buildings all over Eastern Railway and the same was completed in 493 quarters during 2018-2019.
In order to achieve plastic-free environment, bottle crushing machines have been installed in major stations of Eastern Railway including four units at Howrah station, three at Sealdah station, two at Kolkata station and one unit each at Naihati, Malda and Bhagalpur stations. Besides, large vertical gardens with variety of plants and weeds have been created at many stations such as Sealdah, Howrah, Asansol and Sahibganj which are greatly appreciated by the passengers.
The continuous endeavours of Eastern Railway towards achieving environmental sustainability has resulted in the
award of ‘Silver Rated Green Certification’ for Howrah station, ‘Gold Rated Green Certification’ for Lilluah Workshop and ‘Green Co Certification’ for Jamalpur Workshop last year.
