India's easternmost railway zone shifts to compostable bio-plastic on trains
As a pilot initiative, the NFR introduced a biodegradable bag to distribute linen to passengers on August 15, coinciding with the celebration of India's 79th Independence Day. The ISO17088-compliant bioplastic used as the packaging material was developed at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G).
The initiative was rolled out under the supervision of NFR's General Manager, Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, and an IIT-G team led by Professor Vimal Katiyar.
NFR spokesperson Kapinjal Kishore Sharma stated the pilot project involves distributing 40,000 bioplastic bags across 25 trains originating from the railway zone's terminals in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bengal, Bihar, Tripura, and West Bengal.
He stated that the project aligned with the mission of the NFR, India's easternmost railway zone, to adopt green initiatives for its transportation system.
'The zone has implemented rapid railway electrification, solar energy generation, artificial intelligence-based intrusion detection systems to safeguard elephants and others, rainwater harvesting, quick watering systems, automatic coach washing plants, bio-toilets, a mechanised cleaning system, composting of solid waste, afforestation, and the transformation of wastelands into green areas,' he said.
Mr. Sharma said that an inoculum generation plant at Kamakhya (a railway station near the NFR's headquarters in Guwahati) has played a vital role in recycling biodegradable waste, which helps in reprocessing used bedroll bags into new ones, further reducing plastic pollution.
NFR officials said the collaboration with IIT-G marks a practical and scalable approach towards greener railway operations and enhanced passenger convenience through environmentally responsible solutions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
Space Hero Shubhanshu Shukla To Meet PM Modi This Evening
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi today evening at his 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence in New Delhi. The meeting is likely to take place between 5 pm to 5:30 pm, officials said. He will also take part in the National Space Day celebrations on August 23. Group Captain Shukla, the second Indian to go to space and the first to visit the International Space Station, arrived in India on Sunday. He had been living in the US for a year, training for the Axiom-4 mission. Mr Shukla was welcomed at the airport by his family, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and a large crowd waving the national flag. A moment of pride for India! A moment of glory for #ISRO! A moment of gratitude to the dispensation that facilitated this under the leadership of PM @narendramodi. India's Space glory touches the Indian soil… as the iconic son of Mother India, #Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla… — Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) August 16, 2025 Mr Shukla - who was the pilot on the Axiom-4 mission that lifted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25 and docked at the International Space Station on June 26 - had spoken to PM Modi from space. During this talk, PM Modi had asked the astronaut to document his learnings, training, and stay at the International Space Station for India's future missions. The Prime Minister had also mentioned Mr Shukla in his Independence Day address. "Our Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from the space station. In the coming days, he is returning to India," PM Modi had said while speaking about India's plans for its space station. Shubhanshu Shukla's emotional post While on his way back to India, the Indian astronaut had made an emotional post on Instagram with a smiling photo from the plane. He said that while he was feeling sad about leaving behind his friends who were a part of the Axiom-4 mission, he was excited about meeting his family, friends, and other people in India. "As I sit on the plane to come back to India, I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past year during this mission. I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is - everything all at once," he wrote. He added, "Having received incredible love and support from everyone during and after the mission, I can't wait to come back to India to share my experiences with all of you. Goodbyes are hard, but we need to keep moving in life. As my commander Peggy Whitson fondly says, 'the only constant in spaceflight is change'. I believe that applies to life as well." Mr Shukla ended the post with a line from the song ' Yun Hi Chala Chal ' from the film ' Swades ' - which was also his chosen anthem for the Axiom-4 mission launch day. Special session in Parliament The Lok Sabh a is set to hold a special discussion on India's space journey and Mr Shukla's historic mission aboard the International Space Station today. According to a notice by the Lower House of the Parliament, they will debate on "India's first astronaut aboard the ISS - critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047". Union minister Kiren Rijiju said, "Our hero Shubhanshu Shukla is back in India. On this occasion, to honour him, we will have a special discussion in the parliament. We will have an elaborate discussion on India's space mission."
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Union edu min visits IIT-Delhi, interacts with students
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday visited the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where he interacted with undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students, as well as innovators and researchers, officials said. He also announced that he would revisit the institute to review innovations being developed by students. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan interacts with the students of IIT Delhi for the Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of 'Samridhh Bharat' in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI Photo) During his interaction, Pradhan engaged with students to learn about their aspirations, areas of research, technological challenges under pursuit, and their perspectives on national opportunities. 'During the interaction, the Education Minister underlined the importance of self-reliance… He stressed that the present moment offers a unique opportunity to emphasise the need for achieving self-reliance, ignite collective action for driving national priorities and fulfil the vision of 'Samridhh Bharat' by 2047,' said an official. Encouraging students to bring forward innovative ideas, Pradhan assured them that the government 'stands shoulder to shoulder with India's innovators and researchers for shaping a brighter future and for establishing India as a global hub of solutions.' He also underlined the crucial role of IITs as 'the bedrock of a self-reliant India.' 'After meeting these students, I can confidently say that by 2047, India will be a developed nation, in line with the dreams of the Prime Minister. I can see a golden future being created on the shoulders of our youth in the coming 20–25 years,' Pradhan said. Speaking on the occasion, Vineet Joshi, secretary, department of higher education, reiterated the Prime Minister's Independence Day message on the role of youth in making the country self-reliant. He added that the department is extending full support to higher education institutions in advancing innovation, strengthening research capacities and addressing national challenges.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Pradhan urges IIT students to lead innovation journey in India
New Delhi: Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday called upon students of IIT-Delhi to lead India's innovation journey towards ' Atmanirbhar Bharat ', echoing PM Narendra Modi's Independence Day emphasis on self-reliance. Interacting with undergraduate and postgraduate students and doctoral researchers at the institute, Pradhan said the coming decades offer a "unique opportunity" to drive national priorities and achieve the vision of a Samridhh Bharat by 2047. He urged students to "keep hustling until we achieve self-reliance in every sphere" and assured them of govt support in translating their ideas into solutions of global relevance. "The talent, tenacity and resolve of our youth, coupled with the pursuit of self-reliance, will strengthen Bharat's capabilities and enhance her technological and economic sovereignty," the minister said, adding that IITs form the "bedrock" of this vision. He underlined that India's innovators and researchers would play a decisive role in establishing the country as a global hub of technology, enterprise and advanced problem solving. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Gold Rates Today in Delhi | Silver Rates Today in Delhi Pradhan engaged with students on their research work, aspirations and technological challenges, and said he would revisit the campus to review the innovations underway. He also encouraged them to align their work with national goals such as clean energy, digital technologies and sustainable development. Higher education secretary Vineet Joshi, who was also present, reiterated the PM's call for youth-led nation building. He said the ministry is extending full support to institutions to advance innovation, strengthen research capacity and address national challenges in line with the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
