New Delhi, August 26: Your favourite 'kulhad chai' will soon be available across all major railway stations, stalls at bus depots, airports and malls across the country. Union Transport and MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari has written a letter to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal urging him to make eco-friendly 'kulhads' compulsory at railway stations, bus depots, malls and airports. At present, 'kulhad chai' is served at two railway stations, Varanasi and Rae Bareli.

"I have written a letter to Piyush Goyal to make use of kulhad mandatory at 100 railway stations and also suggested airports and state transport undertakings having tea stalls at bus depots to make the use of kulhads mandatory. We will also encourage malls to have kulhad tea stalls,” Nitin Gadkari said. "Local potters will get a huge benefit of the move and use of 'kulhad' instead of paper and plastics to serve beverages will also help conserve the environment," Gadkari added. Nitin Gadkari Warns RTO Officials, Says 'Address Public Grievances or I Will Tell People Dhulai Karo' - Watch Video.

The Union Minister said that he has also instructed the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to supply equipment for large-scale production of kulhads as their demand increases. "We distributed 10,000 electric wheels to potters for making kulhads last year. This year, we have set a target of distributing 25,000 electric wheels," KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena was quoted by news agency PTI as saying. Pune Men Reforming Tea Game, Chai Pe Charcha with Tandoori Tadka.

Under the Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana, the government has been distributing electric wheels to potters to increase their productivity. In 2004, then railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav had introduced ‘kulhads’ to boost the pottery industry and also give passengers a taste of eco-friendly cups. He had made it clear that hot beverages should be served only in 'kulhads'.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2019 08:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).