Kerala High Court urges Railways to use biodegradable packaging to curb plastic waste

The Kerala High Court on Friday expressed concern over the dumping of plastic waste along railway tracks, especially on routes towards the northern parts of the State [Suo Motu v State of Kerala]

A Division Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice P Gopinath was hearing a suo motu case initiated by the High Court to address the issue of waste management,

The Court suggested that the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) should mandate use of biodegradable packaging by its contractors to reduce plastic waste.

"IRCTC must switch to biodegradable packaging etc. Look at the amount of waste on one Vande Bharat train travelling from Trivandrum to Kasargod or wherever. IRCTC is the bulk purchaser of various snacks and other things. Why can't they insist that whatever is being supplied to us (passengers) must be in biodegradable packaging. That is the only way change can come," Justice Gopinath remarked.

Echoing the concern, Justice Thomas said that the volume of plastic waste generated even from a single train journey is huge.

Commenting on the waste management in Kerala, the Court said that while some areas near Kochi appeared to have been cleared, the issue persists elsewhere and requires urgent attention.

The Court also said that waste had re-appeared along the Kochi-Panavel Highway stretch and near the railway overbridge at Kochu Kadavanthara, despite earlier directions.

"That area was filled with waste. Fortunately for you, there was a board stating that dumping waste here would be punishable. But still, a lot of waste was dumped. Despite earlier directions for removal, waste has been dumped again at the same location. These places are identified by public as dump yards despite the specific board kept there for not dumping waste. Some steps need to be taken," Justice Thomas said.

Kochi Corporation assured the Court that steps will be taken to remove the waste and prevent further dumping in these areas.

The matter will be heard next on May 29.

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