Single-use plastic banned at Varanasi railway station

The Indian Railways decided to take steps in keeping its premises as well as trains free from single-use plastics following which Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi railway station in its bid to do the same has directed vendors to use terracotta-made 'kulhads', glasses and plates instead of plastic ones.

Varanasi: The Indian Railways decided to take steps in keeping its premises as well as trains free from single-use plastics following which the Varanasi railway station in its bid to do the same has directed vendors to use terracotta-made 'kulhads', glasses and plates instead of plastic ones.

This has in turn given rise to earning opportunities to the potters, officials said.

Beverage stalls, both IRCTC-operated, as well as the private ones, have begun serving tea and coffee in earthen cups.

Under the leadership of Narendra Modi himself, now the Varanasi Cantonment railway station aims to make it an entirely plastic-free station.

It is only a few articles like water that are served in plastic. Rest, stalls ensure that good items are given away in paper bags or non-biodegradable bags.

The Railway ministry banned the use of single-use plastic, with less than 50-micron thickness beginning from October 2, last year.