STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT

CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

STUDY TO IMPROVE
DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND
POLICIES
AT

CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Thanal
December 2007

Thanal 1 December 2007

 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Thanal is a public interest research and campaign organization working for

environmental health and justice. It is based in Thiruvananthapuram and is
actively involved in State, National and International level programs and
campaigns.

Thanal is the pioneer in the concept of Zero Waste in India and one of the 3
organisations selected globally for a zero waste fellowship to develop field level
program. The theory of zero waste was translated into practice through a project
– Zero Waste Kovalam, which got national and international attention. This
project bagged national level recognition for Kerala Tourism and bagged
international award for India in best environmental initiative category from
Pacific Association of Travel Agents (PATA) in 2006. Thanal is a member of
Technical Support Group formed by Govt of Kerala for Solid Waste Management
Campaign in the State. It is member of GAIA (Global Alliance for Incineration
Alternatives) a global network of organisations and Waste Not Asia – a platform
for Asian organisations to address the waste issues.

The study to improve systems and policies at Central Railway Station,

Thiruvananthapuram was undertaken by Thanal as a research project. The cost
towards the study was taken from internal resources which was nearly
Rs.60,000/-, since the initiative taken by Thiruvananthapuram Railway Station
can set an example to other Railway stations in India. Solid waste management
has been identified by Local Self Government as a problem which needs
imaginative activities with regard to awareness campaigns and easy to apply
solutions which are environment friendly. In such a scenario we thought it
prudent to invest the technical expertise available internally for a social cause.
The study was conducted by a team of 3 persons working continuously to collect
information and also to conduct interaction meetings. Incase Railways find the
recommendations given are practical and start implementing the same; the effort
put in by Thanal is rewarded.

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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
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CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Waste at Railways
3. Objectives
4. Strategy
5. Scope of Study
6. Area and Responsibility of Solid Waste Management
at TVC Railway Station
7. Waste – Source, Nature and Quantity
8. Water – Source, Use and Disposal.
9. Waste – Flow and Disposal.
10. Manpower and Responsibility in the present system
11. Observations
12. Recommendations
13. Benefits
14. The Way Forward
15. Conclusion
16. Acknowledgement
17. Annexures

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1. Introduction
Indian Railways is one of the largest networks of railways in the world. It has
become the backbone of the economic and social growth of India. Millions of
people and million tonnes of goods are handled by this network on a daily basis.
It is the biggest employer in the Indian economy and is one of the efficiently run
railways in the world. Indian Railways plays an important role in sustaining
national integration.

The rail traffic is growing at a faster rate to fulfill the demand from the public
and industry. Being the hub of all transport systems of the country, Indian
Railway have to cater the needs of the passengers and businesses. It paved way
for growth of modern amenities and
facilities in and around of railway
stations and in trains. It also
became a captive market for food
and snacks industry as part of new
fashions and taste of the people.
This left behind a huge quantity of
waste along the rails and railway
stations.
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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

2. Waste at Railways
The nature of waste at railway station is different from a municipal area.
• Floating population: The waste is mainly generated by the floating
population who spends very little time – five minutes to few hours.
This floating population is highly diverse coming from different parts of
the country, from different cultural background with different habits,
tastes and preferences; and they speak in different languages. There
is no uniformity in them except they all are travelers. The stable
population includes of traders, vendors, hawkers, porters and police.
• Packaging Waste: Being a hub of long journeys, food and water is the
main product traded in railway stations and trains. And all these food
and snacks are packed using disposable material especially plastics
and aluminium foil. This forms the major part of the waste along the
railway lines, stations and within the train.
• Limitation in space – All Railway stations and facilities are working with
limited space and limited resources on a continuous manner. It
operates round the clock.
• Vulnerability of vector diseases: Since the railways connect the entire
country, poor sanitation or hygiene condition in one place can cause
an out break of vector disease to other parts of the country. The poor
drainage, stagnant water and nigt soil on tracks due to toilet flushing
also add to this possibility.

The Station managers are finding it hard to manage this waste which is
heterogeneous as the passengers are. It is high time to think in terms of proper
systems supported by policies and programmes to keep the railway stations and
trains clean.

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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
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3. Objectives
• To make Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station a litter free
area.
• To help Indian Railways to attain hygiene and sanitation at
international standards.
• To design and develop better discard handling system for Indian
Railways.
• Saving resources.
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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

4. Strategy
• Multi-focal and decentralised systems – Looking at possibilities of
decentralised systems suitable to discards generated from different
sources.
• User friendly systems – Modifying or creating systems to ensure
involvement of people and reduce the burden of workers.
• Awareness and Motivation – Designing and developing awareness
campaign and motivation plan for different stake holders by
consultative process including workers.
• To identify alternatives to present materials used by railways which get
converted to waste.
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5. Scope of Study
A study on the current discard handling system, people attached to it, their
attitude, roles, responsibilities, hierarchy, problems faced by them, their
suggestions etc were considered to draw a picture of current ground reality. An
appropriate management plan was prepared based on this for implementation.
The stages of study were as under.
• Reviewing the current system through audit of water and solid waste
management.
• Preliminary stakeholder consultations on infrastructure, budget
involvement of people and attitudes.
• Drawing up modified System
• Final presentation and consultation/comment
• Final Report

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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

6. Area and Responsibility of Solid Waste Management – TVC

Railway Station
a) The study is confined to Central Railway Station, Thiruvananthapuram which
has an area of nearly 3, 20,000 sq. metres. The daily passenger movement is
approximately 63,532.
b) Maintenance of cleanliness and sanitation of Thiruvananthapuram Central
Railway station is the responsibility of Medical and Mechanical branches of
Thiruvananthapuram Division. They work in close association with each other
and report to Additional Divisional Railway Manager on all such matters.
i) Medical: Medical branch has divided its area of responsibility into two
namely; Area 1 and Area 2.
Area 1 consists of platforms 1 to 5 (15,960 sq.m.) and tracks (9,650 sq.m) within
platform limits and beyond platform limits upto 200 meters at both ends towards
road over bridges. Commercial establishments includes 3 restaurants
(vegetarian refreshment room, non vegetarian refreshment room & food plaza),
11 refreshment stalls/ auxiliary stalls, 3 stationary stalls, 2 book stalls and 2
medical shops situated at platforms 1 to 5.
Area 2 covers office rooms of appointments like Station Manager, Deputy Station
Manager, Station Master, Chief Commercial Inspector, Chief Ticket Inspector
&Ticket inspector. Other offices include Information centre, VIP lounge, Booking
office, RPF office, RRI Cabin, Parcel office, TTE rest room, Reservation office and
passenger amenities including waiting halls (First class/ II class & ladies), retiring
rooms, officers rest house and dormitories, concourse hall and circulating area,
parking areas ( front & rear), front and rear entries and foot over bridges. The
total area is approximately 25, 000 sq.m.
ii) Mechanical: The area consists of shunting yards from track number 6 to 16,
coach servicing area from track number 18 to 25, pit and yard apart from rear
entry offices, toilets etc. The north and south boundary of the area are
Thampanoor and Thycaud over bridges respectively.
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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station – Front Gate

Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station – Back Gate

Platform No. 1

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Platform No. 5

Shunting tracks

Shunting tracks

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7. Waste – Source, Nature and Quantity

Waste generation occurs at 5 major areas namely, platform& tracks, rail yards,
trains, offices & service areas and shops & commercial establishments. The
waste generated by engines during servicing like diesel, grease, oil, waste from
batteries and pesticides and other chemicals used for disinfection etc. do not
form part of this study (They are also very important since they belong to
hazardous waste category and needs special attention). The total quantity of
waste generated per day is nearly 1263 kg which include both biodegradable and
non biodegradable. The details are as under.
a) Platforms & Tracks. The sources include passengers, hawkers and
vendors, dust bins, train etc. Nature of waste is:
• Biodegradable- Cooked food left over, food leftover covered in aluminium
or tetra packs, fruit peels, towels and cloth pieces, tissue paper, paper and paper
cups.
• Non bio degradable- Drinking water /soft drink plastic bottles, plastic
sachets of oil, snacks, soaps, polythene covers, styrofoam plates, tetra pack
plates, aluminium foils,
• Qty: 314 kg /day (appx).
b) Rail Yards. The sources include sweepings from platforms, passengers in the
train, vendors and hawkers, trains, shunting yard, coach service area etc. The
nature of waste is:
• Biodegradable- Cooked food left overs, Food leftover covered in
aluminium or tetra packs, fruit peels, towels and cloth pieces, tissue paper, paper
and paper cups.
• Non bio degradable- Drinking water /soft drink plastics bottles, plastic
sachets of oil, snacks, soaps,polythene covers, styrofoam plates, tetra pack
plates, aluminium foils, glass, leather and oil etc.
• Qty: 647 kg / day (appx).

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c) Trains. The sources include passengers and pantry car. Nature of waste are :
• Biodegradable- Cooked food left overs, Food leftover covered in
aluminium or tetra packs, fruit peels, towels and cloth pieces, tissue paper, paper
and paper cups.
• Non bio degradable- Drinking water /soft drink plastics bottles, plastic
sachets of oil, snacks, soaps, polythene covers, styrofoam plates, tetra pack
plates, aluminium foils
• Qty: Not available.
d) Offices and service areas. The sources include office staff and passengers.
Nature of waste includes card board, carbon paper, cartons, gunny bags,
spoiled food articles and food waste.
• Qty: 136 kg /day (appx).
e) Shops and Commercial Establishments. The sources include
restaurants, refreshment stalls, book shops, medical shops and stationary shops.
Nature of waste includes food waste, paper cups, plastic covers, plastic bottles
etc.
• Qty: 166 kg /day (appx).
In the efforts for utilization of wastes as a resource, it will be appropriate to
know the value that can be recovered or its reutilization capabilities. Table 1, 2,
3 4 and 5 in Annexure give an insight for general information purpose.
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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Waste dump behind refreshment stall in Platform No-1

Waste dumped along the shunting track

Waste from Trains

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8. Water – Source, Use & Disposal.

The sources of water for daily use at Thiruvananthapuram railway station are
Kerala Water Authority which supplies 10 lakh litres per day and pumping of
nearly 2 lakh litres of water from Karamana River by Railways. Water is used for
cleaning, watering the coaches, drinking, washing, cooking and use in toilets etc.
The detailed working sheet is attached at Table.6 in annexure. Waste water goes
to Amayizhanjan canal which is a waste / rain / storm water drain flowing
adjacent to railway station and maintained by Municipal Corporation of
Thiruvananthapuram.
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To avoid cleaning process

using brooms / brush
normally water is splashed
using connected water
hoses which end up in
wastage of water

….and clogging of drains

with solid waste.

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9. Waste – Flow and Disposal in the Present System.

A study to understand the current flow of waste was undertaken by the team in
order to suggest improvements in the system. The details are as under.
a) Platforms & Tracks
Wastes in mixed condition are collected by hand by contract workers from
bins 6 times and platform12 times a day. These are subsequently dumped
for segregation behind workers rest room. Here the workers carry out
segregation and it is stored in sacks for transportation. The items like pet
bottles, card board etc.are kept separate. Next day both the
biodegradable and non bio degradable wastes are handed over to
Kudumbasree workers for onward dispatch to Municipal Corporation of
Thiruvananthapuram.

b) Rail Yards
Collection of waste in mixed condition from trains, pit and yard by
contract workers which is dumped near incinerator for segregation. This
incinerator has been established without permission of State Pollution
Control Board and records of standards maintained for exhaust gases
could not be verified. After segregation bio degradable as well as a part of
non biodegradable discards are fed to incinerator and burnt. Items which
could be sold are taken by workers.

c) Offices and service areas

Collection of waste by hand by contract workers in mixed conditions which
are dumped for segregation behind workers rest room. After segregation
it is stored in sacks for transportation. Next day it is handed over to
Kudumbasree workers for onward dispatch to Municipal Corporation of
Thiruvananthapuram.

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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
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d) Shops and Commercial Establishments

Here the waste is handled by Kudumbasree workers who are paid a
monthly sum by the owners of these shops. Waste in mixed condition is
collected in the bins which are segregated by Kudumbasree workers by
hand. Subsequently the waste is sent to Municipal Corporation of
Thiruvananthapuram by them.
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Coach Cleaning

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10. Manpower & Responsibility in the Present System

Manpower engaged for waste management in railway station are as under. Their
responsibility includes dry sweeping, washing, mopping, watering, Sweeping-
Watering -Toilet cleaning and Mechanized cleaning.
Sweepers of Railways :4
Contract workers : 273(54 under medical &219 under
Mechanical)
Kudumbasree workers : 15
Total : 292
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Track Cleaning

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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

11. Observations
Major observations on the present waste management system in
Thiruvananthapuram railway station are given below.

a. Nature of waste
i) Mixed waste spread all over.
ii) Putrefied mixed waste in long distance trains.
iii) Large quantity of plastic waste.
iv) Large quantity of packaging waste.

b.Process
i) No separate bins for biodegradable and non bio degradable wastes.
ii) No segregated collection.
iii) Use of brooms on tracks for collection of waste.
iv) Washing of tracks soaks solid waste Plastic bottles and cups fall into
drain and choke it.
v) Nearly 2.7 lakh litres of waste water goes to Amayizhanjan canal every
day.
vi) Pit and yard cleaning not done on a daily basis.
vii) All machines as per contract seemed to be not used in mechanical
cleaning process.
viii) Burning of wastes in incineration against rules in vogue.
ix) Unassigned areas for cleaning.

c. Hygiene & Sanitation

i) Area where waste is dumped for segregation gives foul smell and is
closer to restaurants and platform No: 1.
ii) Leachate is found spreading all around in the area.
iii) Workers are not using protective gears like gloves, aprons and caps
during handling of waste.

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iv) Wastes are carried on head by workers

v) Disinfectants used seem to be of inferior quality.
vi) Frequent choking of waste water drain.
vii) Chances of waste water from canal entering railway yard.

d. Facilities and Practices

i) Number of bins: 58(platforms), 55(offices).
ii) Transfer points: Behind the rest room of workers on platform
number 1 for waste collected from platforms and tracks. Near the
incinerator for waste collected from trains, rail yards, coach
servicing area and rear entry offices.
iii) Machines and tools provided:
™ Dry sweep: Broom, plastic sacks, plastic basket, bamboo
basket, long handled brush & flipper machine.
™ Washing: Mug, bucket, various types of brushes, polythene
hose pipe, high pressure jet & washing plant.
™ Mopping: Ezee clean mop, Mopping machine, Heavy duty
scrubber dryer.
™ Incinerator: Provided to contractor by railways to dispose
off mainly biodegradable waste. Works for 24 hrs and emits
smoke and unpleasant smell. Produces hazardous ash.
e. Communication & Signs
i) There is no indication on bins for segregated deposition of discards.
ii) No video / audio displays to encourage public, to maintain
cleanliness.
iii) No sign boards to support waste collection / disposal system.

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f. Safety of Workers
i) Records of medical examination of contract workers are not available.
ii) Workers are not using proper protective gears.

g. Responsibility & Accountability

i) Role and responsibility of station manager/master regarding waste
management is unclear.
ii) Most of the officers assume the responsibility of the Division as a
whole and none is assigned station specific responsibility.
iii) Records / Document giving out clear cut area of responsibility for
cleaning not available.
iv) Low priority accorded to cleanliness in charter of duties.
v) Organization chart is vague on accountability and reporting.

h. Documentation and Reporting

i) The record of workers present each day and jobs undertaken are
not available in Mechanical Section.
ii) Record of grading for cleanliness is not maintained in Medical
section.
iii) Review of cleaning process by senior officers and corrective action
taken if any, are not recorded.

i. Possible Threats and Future

i) Mixed waste collection and subsequent segregation in an open area
and its storage can result in scavenging by vectors. This is a health
hazard for the public.
ii) Incineration of waste is also a health hazard and is violation of
MSW (M&H) Rules 2000.
iii) Waste water disposal to the canal is resources wasted.

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iv) Scattered waste and choking drains may bring bad name for
Railways.

j. Laws Vs Practices
i) Mixed waste collection – Law (MSW [M&H] Rules 2000) clearly
specify segregated collection, transportation and disposal of
discards
ii) Incineration – Against MSW (M&H) Rules 2000, Environment
Protection Act, Water, Air Acts and International Law/ negotiation
and treatise. The existing one is clear violation of all provisions and
works without permit.
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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
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Municipal Waste Incinerator at TVC

Railway Station

Municipal Waste Incinerator at TVC

Railway Station

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CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Waste Storage Tank near Municipal Waste

Incinerator at TVC Railway Station

Workers dumping waste near Municipal

Waste Incinerator at TVC Railway Station

Name board depicting the official inauguration of

Municipal Waste Incinerator

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12. Recommendations

Keeping the objectives and strategy of the study in focus, there are some points
which need immediate attention. This may also involve changes in organizational
hierarchy, accountability, infrastructure, policies and awareness campaigns. The
details are enumerated below.
a. Collection and Transportation
i) Segregated collection is a fundamental requirement for an
efficient waste management system. Please refer chart 1 for
details. Discard pickers can work in pairs which ensures 100
percent picking and no area is overlooked.
ii) Use cloth and plastic bags or trolley buckets to avoid
spillage.
iii) Movement of waste through trolleys to avoid carrying on
head which is unsightly and against basic tenets of human
rights/ manual labour.
iv) Earmark safe and adequate space for interim storage.
v) Need to create a resource recovery facility for sorting,
cleaning and final storage.
b. Cleaning
i) Segregated collection (refer chart 1) helps further cleaning
process due absence of solid waste on tracks, coaches and
platforms.
ii) Manual cleaning / dry sweeping of areas from where waste
has been collected.
iii) Washing and mopping of dry swept areas.
iv) Disinfection of areas as applicable.

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c. Disposal
i) Cleaning and drying of non bio degradable at resource
recovery facility.
ii) Sale items at scrap market as per rules in vogue. Also refer
table 1,2 &3.
iii) Recovering bio degradable discards as compost. In vessel
composting or vermi composting can be adopted. This can
be contracted out to either Kudumbasree/ Self help group/
workers corporative or local community groups if required.

d. Communication and Signs

i) Mark bins with color code or icons for segregated disposal of
waste.
ii) Instructions to use them should be easy to understand by all
class of people.
iii) Put up sign boards to locate dustbins on platforms and trains
and they should be clearly visible.
iv) Adopt uniform design and color code for sign boards for
improved aesthetics.

e. Organisation
i) Organisation has to be streamlined for better coordination
and efficiency. Refer chart 2 for suggested organization.
ii) Reporting process have to be refined for generating
information for management purpose. Recommended
procedure is given below.
¾ Supervisor to give status report on waste handled and man
power deployed to implementing officer every day.
Supervise cleaning process.

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¾ Implementing officer to compile daily reports, carry out

checks of cleaning process at random and forward reports
so compiled with remarks to nodal officer once a week.
¾ Nodal officer collates all these reports and note down
points requiring immediate attention. Monthly report will
be submitted to the sanitation committee by the nodal
officer.
¾ A review meeting will be called once a month by sanitation
committee. Decisions taken for improvements and
corrective action will be intimated to all concerned by
fastest means.
f. Accountability and Responsibility
Unless an organization is supported by clear cut charter of accountability
and responsibility, there are chances of failure or an inefficient
functioning. The following guidelines may be followed to avoid such a
situation.
i) Sanitation Committee
This is the functional committee formed with expertise available in the
Division. Representatives of medical, mechanical and administrative
divisions will form the committee.
Functions of the Committee:-
ƒ Preparation of Management Plans for waste management
ƒ Developing norms for the Contract and Technical support
ƒ Monitoring and Evaluation
ii) Nodal Officer
Nodal Officer is the person responsible for implementation of the plans
and coordination of different programmes as well as departments for
waste management. Nodal Officer has to file monthly performance report
to the Sanitation Committee.
Functions of Nodal Officer:-

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ƒ Assigning duties and coordination of process

ƒ Organising awareness training and training programmes
ƒ Coordination of Campaign
ƒ Evaluation and Reporting
iii) Implementing Officer(s)
Railway station and premises have to be divided into regions / sectors
based on accessibility and functions. Implementing officer is the person
responsible for sanitation of a specific region / area. Implementing officer
has to file weekly performance report to the Nodal Officer.
Functions of Implementing Officer:-
ƒ Preparation of Working Plans based on Management plan in
consultation with Nodal Officer
ƒ Implementation of working plans
ƒ Coordination of Supervisors
ƒ Evaluation and Reporting
iv) Supervisor(s)
Each region / sector may have one or more supervisors based on the
area, time and function who has the responsibility of ensuring the
cleaning and sanitation process. The supervisor has to exercise control of
the workers and issue job cards and file daily reports to the Implementing
officer in a fixed format.
Functions of Supervisor:-
ƒ Preparation of job cards
ƒ Maintenance of attendance
ƒ Ensuring safety and security to the workers and railway
property
ƒ Day to day monitoring and reporting
g. Infrastructure
Additional infrastructure have to be created and modification for existing need
to be carried out. They include

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i) Information/communication boards
ii) Colored bins for segregated collection of discards
iii) Trolley bins and trolleys for easy movement of waste
iv) Tools and equipments should be user friendly and work
efficiently
v) Resource recovery facility where discards are sorted,
cleaned, and stored for making it accessible for reuse, repair
recycling and composting.
vi) Composting yard if it is being done in house.
vii) Improvements to drainage like covers, traps for solid waste
and easiness to maintain/ periodical cleaning.
viii) Waste water recycling plant to reclaim the grey water for
cleaning purposes, thereby saving resources and money.

h. Worker Safety
i) Provide protective gears such as gloves, shoes, helmet,
fluorescent jackets etc.
ii) Better tools and equipments which can be maintained easily.
iii) Adopt safe practices of carrying waste.
iv) Plan suitable training module on health and safety.
v) Implement monthly health check up of workers.
i. Awareness Creation
Awareness programmes should be able to sensitise people and be
thought provoking. It is advisable to seek professional assistance.
Some of the suggestions are as under.
i) Passengers
ƒMessage boards in trains, platforms and passenger amenity
facilities.
ƒVideo / animation screening / announcements in platforms.
ƒMessages on tickets / reservation forms.

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ƒPunitive action for littering.

ii) Staff
ƒTraining on public health and waste
ƒInteraction with passengers / campaign
iii) Workers
ƒ Training on public health, segregation of waste
ƒ Training on public interaction
iv) Vendors
ƒ Training on best practices in business
ƒ Training on public interaction
j. Policy
Policy initiatives will help ongoing activities to achieve the desired
level of international standards in waste management. Some of the
initiatives could be:
i) Railways to adopt the policy of zero waste in material use,
which include
ƒPromotion of reusable and recyclable materials
ƒPromotion of fuller utilization of existing systems like
drinking water kiosks by ensuring its efficiency and quality
ƒPhasing out plastic carry bags, disposable plates, cups,
spoons and forks
ƒPhasing out the sale of snacks, food, beverage and water in
containers or packets made of plastics or other non viable
materials.
ƒSetting targets for optimum recovery of discards and
reduction of waste.
ii) Extended producer responsibility to be imposed on supplier
of package drinking water to railways

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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
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iii) Ensuring good quality food, water and beverage at

reasonable price can discourage passengers from bringing
packed food
iv) Punitive action to be taken for littering railway premises and
trains
v) Dismantle incinerator

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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

13. Benefits
Apart from setting up a model discard management system which can be
replicated in Indian Railways, benefits can be reaped locally which are mentioned
below.
a. Economical
i) Revenue from Compost since there is potential for minimum
200kg matured compost / day
ii) Revenue from scrap
iii) Savings in maintenance cost
iv) Reduction in water bill due to water recycling
b. Public Health
i) Improved standard of public health and sanitation.
ii) Reduction in scavenging by animals like dogs, rats and birds.
iii) Control on vector diseases.
c. Environmental
i) Clean and Green railways
ii) Clean station premises
iii) Compost for gardening
iv) Resource Conservation
v) Conservation of water
vi) Recovery of discards for recycling
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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

14. The Way Forward

a. Approach
ƒ Discard handling needs priority
ƒ Appropriate management policies have to be framed to
tackle the future needs
b. Side scaling
• Better discard handling systems have to be devised and
implemented at other railway stations
c. Participation
• Ensure participation of passengers, railway staff, shop keepers
and contract workers in planning, implementation and monitoring
of discard handling programmes. Involve them in awareness
campaigns.
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15. Conclusion
The initiative taken by Thiruvananthapuram Railway Division to improve the
present discard management system is a progressive step towards tackling the
huge amount of use and throw items that blemish the railway lines all over India.
It can also affect India’s march to achieve world class standards in tourism
sector. Since solid waste management has emerged as a material problem of
considerable magnitude, a determined and focused attempt is necessary to find
pragmatic and long lasting solutions. There is no doubt that the technical
expertise and resources at the disposal of Indian Railways can realize that goal.
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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
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16. Acknowledgement
Thanal gratefully acknowledge the support provided by the officers and staff of
Divisional Railway Manager’s Office and Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway
Station to carry out this study. Thanal is also thankful to the cooperation
extended by Contractors and their employees, Commercial establishments and
porters of Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station.
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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
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17. Annexures
Table 1.
Quantity of discards Generated
Area Qty (Kg.)
Platforms and Tracks 314*
Rail yards 647**
Offices and Service area 136*
Shops and Commercial 166
Establishments
Trains ***
Total 1263
*Data from Medical Division, **data from Mechanical division *** data not available
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Table 2.
Price list of recyclable materials
Recyclable Price per Kg.
Aluminium foil/ Cans Rs. 85
Stainless steel Rs. 30
Paper cups and paper plates Rs. 2
Tissue paper Rs. 2
Cardboard Rs. 4.5
News paper Rs. 5
Pet bottles Rs. 5 to 18
HDPE spoons and forks Rs. 15
Milk / Curd / Sachets Rs. 10 to 20
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Table 3.
Materials that can be composted
Compostable
Tissue paper
Cloths and cloth pieces
Leaf plates
Food Left over
Tea bags
Vegetable Waste
Meat waste

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Table 4.
Price of Compost
Compost Vermi Compost
Rs. 6 Rs. 5 to 10
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Table 5.
Inert Materials
Inert: Utility
Sweep dust and soil Filling / Construction
Construction & Demolition waste Filling / Construction
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Table.6
Use of Water and Recyclability
Water use at Railways and potential for recovery
% Qty Qty.

water harvesting
Potential of rain
Qty available available recovera
water Sub for for ble
# Process needed Total Recycling recycle (80%)
Raw Water demand
1 Platform washing 15950 90 14355 11484
grey water not available Grey water available

2 Station and Apron washing 35480 90 31932 25546

for recycling

3 Washing of Carriages on Washing lines 140000 90 126000 100800

2000 sq.m X 2.5 mtrs of rain water per year

4 Cleaning of Carriage on Platform 50000 90 45000 36000
241430
Potable water demand
5 Passenger rly station 167500 20 33500 26800
6 Refreshment stalls 40000 50 20000 16000
= 7500000 litres

7 Administrative Office 38750

8 Workshop 37500
9 Retiring room 9200
for recycling

10 Running room 7200

11 Carriage watering 540000
12 TTE rest room 7500
13 Subordinate restroom / holiday home 10000
14 RPF barrack/RMS 15000
15 Dispensary 500
873150
Total 1114580 270787 216630
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 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Table :7
Cleaning Process- Chemicals and Pesticides
Sl.No Disinfectants used Sl.No Anti Mosquito and Anti Fly measures

1 HydroChloric Acid 1 Abate 50 % EC

2 Phenyl Black 2 Baytex
3 Bleaching Powder 3 Baygon Bait
4 Vim/ Cleaning 4 Blottanax
powder
5 Lime Powder 5 Nuvan
6 Soda Ash 6 Solfac 10%
7 Aromatic 7 Solfac 50 WP
Compound
8 Deodorant Jelly 8 Malethion Liquid
9 Odonil Cakes 9 Gamaxine Powder
10 Urinal Cakes 10 Cythion Liquid
11 Pine oil
12 CLEAN X
Data from Medical Division
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Thanal 36 December 2007

 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Chart – 1
Cleaning Process

Process Chart
Food and Wet
Waste

Waste Picking
Segregated Paper, Cloth &
Collection Miscellaneous

Plastics and
Metals
Brushing /dry
sweeping

Interim
Storage
Washing and
Mopping
Composting
Sorting,
Cleaning
and
Storing
Disinfection Tvm
Corporation
Water
recycling
Scrap Market

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Thanal 37 December 2007

 STUDY TO IMPROVE DISCARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND POLICIES AT
CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Chart 2.
Organisation Chart

DRM

ADRM

Sanitation
Committee
Division Level

Station Level

Nodal Officer Nodal Officer Nodal Officer

Station - 1 TVC Station - N

Implementing Implementing Implementing

Officer Officer Officer
Jobs X1 to Xn Jobs Y1 to Yn Jobs Z1 to Zn

Supervisor Supervisor Supervisor Supervisor Supervisor Supervisor

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Thanal 38 December 2007