Indian Railways Establishes Dedicated Environment and Housekeeping Departments for Waste Management
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR
Why in news
The Minister of Railways informed Rajya Sabha about the establishment of dedicated Environment and Housekeeping Management (ENHM) departments at divisional, zonal, and Railway Board levels to monitor and manage waste-related matters. This move aligns with the new Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 and Supreme Court directives.
Background
Indian Railways generates significant waste from trains and stations. It has adopted a comprehensive system for collection, processing, and disposal, including dual dustbins at stations and designated waste management stations. The new rules and court orders necessitated strengthening waste management across all railway establishments.
Key facts
Dedicated Environment and Housekeeping Management (ENHM) departments set up at divisional, zonal, and Railway Board levels.
On-board housekeeping service (OBHS) available in 1,450 pairs of long-distance trains.
Clean Train Station (CTS) scheme implemented at 63 stations covering 2,800 trains.
13 biogas plants (capacity 5,095 kg/day), 171 composting plants (24,817 kg/day), 8 material recovery facilities (7,725 kg/day), and 858 plastic bottle crushing machines installed.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued for solid waste management covering segregation, collection, transport, processing, and scientific disposal.
Zonal railways have started identifying units falling under bulk waste generator category as per Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.
An 'As-Is Waste Characterization and Quantification Study' planned to assess current waste generation.
Dedicated nodal officers appointed for comprehensive action plans, periodic audits, and compliance reporting.
Divisions directed to prepare action plans for effective waste management.
Dual dustbins provided at stations for waste collection and segregation at source.
Prelims pointers
- ENHM: Environment and Housekeeping Management
- OBHS: On-Board Housekeeping Service
- CTS: Clean Train Station scheme
- Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026
- Biogas plants: 13; Composting plants: 171; Material Recovery Facilities: 8; Plastic bottle crushing machines: 858
- Ministry of Railways
- Rajya Sabha question answered by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Mains angles
- Evaluate the effectiveness of Indian Railways' waste management initiatives in achieving environmental sustainability.
- Discuss the role of dedicated environmental departments in improving compliance with waste management rules.
- Analyze the challenges in implementing scientific waste disposal across a vast network like Indian Railways.