India’s rail travel in desperate need of garbage bags

INDIA (eTN) – A majority of India’s population continues to use the train for outstation travel between major towns, cities, and across states.

INDIA (eTN) – A majority of India’s population continues to use the train for outstation travel between major towns, cities, and across states. Close to 75% of this segment choose to travel by ordinary second class, which includes cushioned sleepers and seats, fans whirling above to cool temperatures, and windows which can be opened and shut depending on the weather and time of travel. At both ends of the compartment lie rest rooms offering western-style commodes and local-style latrines. There is no denying cleanliness of these rest rooms has improved substantially over the past decade. Attempts are continuously made to keep these washrooms clean and dry.

rail1 | eTurboNews | eTN

Where the railways seem wanting are in its efforts to hygienically dispose of humungous amounts of garbage collected during long-distance travel in these compartments. It is estimated that each passenger generates an average amount of 200 grams of garbage on a 12-hour journey. This comes in the form of aluminum foil and thermocole (called styrofoam in the US) containers from food packets, plastic mineral water bottles, biscuit and junk food wrappers, glass bottles, tetra packs, and finally, waste food that is not consumed but simply flung across windows and alongside tracks. This results in a tremendous amount of discarded garbage (degradable and non-degradable) on railway tracks across major routes in India. More of this is found closer to railway stations and junctions as well as at signal points.

The garbage left behind make it a breeding ground for innumerable pests with the ever-persistent danger of spreading infection and disease. Rag pickers who should have ordinarily been educating themselves, make a living by collecting non-degradable garbage and selling it at wayside points. It’s not uncommon to find some of them cleaning compartments with broom brushes on some routes before the end of the journey and collecting small tokens of money from sympathetic travelers.

rail3 | eTurboNews | eTN

A singular reason why this happens can be ascribed to the lack of garbage bags being provided in second-class train compartments. Air-conditioned coaches have garbage bags placed below water sinks. Besides, travelers don’t have the liberty of throwing garbage outside as glass windows are sealed. Also, awareness levels have increased over a period of time, and travelers are more sensitized than before, resulting in better usage of this garbage collection facility. Those undertaking the journey in the ordinary class, face greater hardships simply because the garbage container located below the wash basin at either end of the compartment doesn’t seem to carry a garbage bag. The levers don’t function too well while the container itself appears shoddy, resulting in non-usage of this facility. Under the circumstances, discarding waste outside the window becomes a “convenient” solution!

What can the railways do? Firstly, the authorities must mandatorily introduce garbage bags in all second-class coaches that are collected once every 6 to 8 hours and not at the end of a journey. It’s common to have 12 to 24 journeys on major trunk routes. Secondly, the authorities need to make regular announcements on its public address system located inside trains warning of the dangers of throwing garbage outside and of the long-term negative repercussions for all rail travelers. Thirdly, it needs to introduce garbage collection centers at major railway junctions wherein garbage collected from passing trains is systematically transported to garbage dumps where it is treated. Railways should also encourage travelers to go in for dry food items and introduce it as part of their dining cuisine. Over the public address system, they should be encouraged to carry the dry garbage back home. Finally, garbage containers inside these coaches must be redesigned and placed in a more convenient location to ensure better usage during a journey and easy collection and disposal at collecting stations.

rail4 | eTurboNews | eTN

It may seem a tall order, however, with awareness greater than before, there is bound to be better acceptance among rail travelers in the second class. In fact the railways would be failing in its duties in neglecting this part of rail travel, probably the most important factor desired for ensuring “healthy and more comfortable journeys” in future. Untreated garbage carelessly littered across rail tracks and the odor it generates is a disconcerting experience for tourists as well as regular passengers who definitely deserve better. Needless to say, the Clean India campaign will also receive a much-needed impetus if these simple measures are followed.

Author’s note: If by the time this article is published, changes have been made, then that’s great. My experience was in the middle of September 2015 on a 12-hour journey on the Konkan Railway from Mumbai to Goa, as well as from previous experiences.

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

Share to...