Mumbai: With several principles of environment protection which is followed by Konkan Railway, it has always been in the forefront of ensuring eco-friendly initiatives.
On the eve of World Environment Day on Sunday, Konkan Railway has vowed to increase its efforts towards Environment Management and Sustainable Development.
One of the environment initiatives called ‘Roll-On Roll-Off’ service by Konkan Railways, which transports road trucks on rail wagons, makes it possible to move them through the Western Ghats between Kolad and Suratkal.
The initiative of Konkan Railway for environment conservation has transported five lakh road trucks and has saved 750 lakh litres of fuel. This has also resulted in reducing traffic congestion on roads and benifited pollution-free environment.
The introduction of fuel efficient and environment friendly DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) services has reduced traffic congestion in busy and fast-growing cities like Madgaon.
Similarly, rain water harvesting at five stations namely Kamathe, Ratnagiri, Ukshi, Ankola and Murdeshwar is another effort to conserve water.
The provision of environment eco-friendly bio-toilets is another attempt to conserve resources by harnessing renewable energy. Konkan Railways has so far installed bio-toilets in one fourth of our coaches and at eleven of the railway stations.
In addition “Organic Waste Convertors” that convert bio-degradable waste into compost have been installed at Ratnagiri, Madgaon and Karwar stations. Roof top solar plants have been installed at Kudal, Sawantwadi and Udupi stations for energy conservation. A wind and solar hybrid renewable energy system has also been set up at level crossing (LC) gates and stations.
Over 40,000 trees were planted by Konkan Railways as a part of environment protection activity.
