Railway Minister discusses IR’s environment, housekeeping issues with nonrailways stakeholders
Jan 12, 2017: Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu discussed environmental and housekeeping issues of Indian Railways with non-railway stakeholders in a roundtable discussion recently held at Rail Bhawan. Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain, Railway Board Chairman A. K. Mital, Member Rolling Stock, Railway Board Ravindra Gupta, other Railway Board Members and senior officials were also present on the occasion.
Over 50 experts and professionals from various organizations like The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), NABARD, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Council for Energy Environment and Water (CEEW), RITES, World Resources Institute (WRI), Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) participated in the discussion and provided valuable inputs towards Indian Railways’ current programme and initiatives in the field of Environment and Housekeeping.
Speaking at the roundtable discussion, Prabhu said there is a need to adopt emerging trends in the economy and society. Roundtable discussions with external stakeholders will help in gaining perspectives, exchange knowledge and improving work process. Managing operations with sustaining environment is a challenge, he added.
Prabhu also said that Ministry of Railways is working on mainstreaming sustainability in its strategy. Having set up a separate Directorate for Environment, it is no more a peripheral activity, and now integrated with and complements the core activity. Land use optimization, afforestation, water bodies restoration, cleanliness are just some of the activities that the Railways are working on to ensure sustainability. Ministry of Railways is giving a big push to use renewable energy, electrification for ensuring sustainability and cost efficiency. He also expressed pleasure in interacting with representatives of various organisations: Government organisations, NGOs, think tanks, etc.
Gohain said that Railway is the most environment friendly modes of transport and it is conscious of green issues and takes measures to go green wherever possible.
