Kerala High Court On Waste Disposal In Trains
The Special Bench of the Kerala High Court on Friday (August 9) questioned about the waste disposal mechanism in trains, especially those like Vandebharat, which provides food to its passengers.
The Special Bench comprising Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice Gopinath P. was hearing the suo motu proceedings initiated in the wake of the Brahmapuram fire. The bench was constituted to monitor the waste management in the State.
Earlier, the Court had orally suggested that the IRCTC, which works with the Railways and makes a huge margin of profits, can also be made responsible for the waste management.
When the matter came up yesterday, the Court orally remarked that the IRCTC, as a bulk purchaser of packeted food items, should consider insisting on biodegradable packaging.
It orally suggested, “If a customer like IRCTC, just imagine the quantity that railway must be purchasing, if you insist from the manufacturers that they should pack it in biodegradable material or avoid plastic completely, you will save yourself a lot of problem…. If you insist, a bulk purchaser like you insist, 101% the manufacturers will comply. Then you get rid of so much of problem. This is something you have to look in.“
Though it was submitted before the Court that an agency has been appointed to collect waste, it opined that railways cannot wash their hands off the responsibility to ensure that the waste collected is properly and scientifically disposed. It also expressed its apprehension that waste is being thrown into rivers and canals when the waste bins inside the trains get full.
The Court further observed that the railways must proactively take steps to prevent improper waste discharge by individuals. It suggested installing CCTV cameras and having the Railway Protection Force to help identify the instances and persons responsible.
Thereafter, it orally told that it would pass an order directing inspection into the waste disposal mechanism adopted by the aggregator agencies and look into the flow chart, how waste is being managed, whether scientific disposal is ensured, among other things.
In June, the bench had passed an order banning single-use plastics in hilly areas, weddings and public functions. The same was stayed by a recent order of the Supreme Court.
Case Title: Suo Moto v. State of Kerala
Case Number: WP (C) 7844/2023