No guidelines on disposing garbage from railway tracks
as reported in The Hindu, | October 5, 2008

New Delhi (PTI): The Indian Railways, which offers services to millions of passengers every year, has no rules or guidelines for the collection and disposal of garbage from its tracks.

In reply to an RTI application filed by one Gaurang R Vohra, a resident of Mumbai, the Central Railways said, "No coded rules/laws could be traced regarding collection and disposal of garbage or waste from the railway tracks".

Asserting that it maintains a "reasonable level of cleanliness in its premises", the Central Railways, which caters to over four lakh passengers daily, said "However, administrative instructions issued and systems evolved over the years depending on the local conditions are being followed".

"The system of collection and disposal of garbage from railway premises is reviewed periodically and suitable corrective steps are taken as and when considered necessary," the RTI reply said.

Official documents attached with the reply provided to Vohra mentioned a senior official's directive to station masters to stop the practice of accumulating and burning of garbage on tracks.

The Hindu News Update Service