Mumbai, May 9: After the state-wide plastic ban announced by the Maharashtra state government on the auspicious festival day 'Gudi Padwa' this year, various authorities are seen implementing the ban in reality. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Body (BMC) initiated steps by introducing about 22 plastic collection points in Mumbai at highest footfall places, to pave the way for recycling. The city's railways have decided to step in, so as to implement the ban more effectively.

According to a news report in The Indian Express, the central and western railways have decided to serve food items in paper plates, cups and cardboard boxes. To ensure the practice is implemented successfully, it conducted a high-level meeting with officials from Central Railways, railway catering staff, railway station stall owners and Indian Railway Catering Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to discuss the various measures to be adopted, so as to reduce the use of prohibited plastic effectively. Also, in the meeting, the railways have decided to stop the purchase of plastic at first, which will eventually stop its usage. One more meeting will be held on Thursday to find alternatives for  plastic spoons used more in long-distance trains. In the meeting manufacturers who produce paper plates, cups have also been called.

Currently, the railway pantry staff in express train use plastic containers to distribute food, also plastic wrappers are used to sell the food products at food stalls of railways.

Meanwhile, the central railway officials have asked all stall owners, pantry staff to stop using plastic and opt for paper plates, cups and cutlery as a replacement. In addition, both central and western railways have banned around 25 items which are sold in plastic, according to news reports. Also, it has warned those who will be found violating the rule and strict action will be taken against them.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 09, 2018 06:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).