NEW DELHI: The Centre has taken up the task of developing ‘eco-smart stations’. According to a bench headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson, Indian Railway informed the NGT about the development of ‘eco-smart stations’ action plan for 37 railway station. Indian Railway is targeting to achieve environment standards of ‘ISO-14001’, as laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standards, for environment management. Goel said, “Indian Railways will complete the task within three months. Railway also appointed the nodal officers to ensure the progress of the project.” Such stations may be certified as eco-smart stations, he added.
In October 2017, Secunderabad Railway Station became the first railway station to be certified as a ‘Green Railway Station’, and got the ‘Platinum Rating Certification’, the highest rating in this category, from CII-IGBC.
As per railway officials, their first priority is to focus on the environmental norms and will have the authority to lay down and collect compensation on ‘polluter pays’ principle. The entire work process layout will also be uploaded on the official website.