Guwahati Rly Station on track to become 100% plastic-recyclable

MALIGAON, OCTOBER 7 (MExN): The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has launched several environmental sustainability initiatives across its network as part of Indian Railways’ Green Mission 2030, with Guwahati Railway Station set to become India’s first fully plastic-recyclable station.

The initiative is being implemented through a tripartite MoU between NFR, the Pollution Control Board, Assam, and a local authorised recycler, with technical support from IIT Guwahati. The project aims to establish a replicable model for effective plastic waste management across the region.

Under the programme, NFR has introduced a comprehensive plastic waste management system including colour-coded dustbins for segregation, bottle-crushing machines, composting units, and QR code-based monitoring for real-time efficiency tracking. Eco-friendly compostable bags developed by IIT Guwahati have replaced single-use plastics in trains, significantly reducing plastic waste generation.

To promote awareness and encourage public participation, NFR has organised “Waste-to-Art” exhibitions, street plays, Scouts and Guides drives, and digital campaigns at various stations. These efforts have led to 100% vendor compliance, a 60% drop in passenger cleanliness complaints, and a noticeable improvement in station ambience. Building on these achievements, NFR plans to extend the 100% plastic-recyclable station model to nine more stations across its network, aiming to make the entire zone cleaner, greener, and more environmentally responsible.