Ministry of Railways has directed all its units to enforce a ban on single-use plastic material on its premises and trains, with less than 50-micron thickness with effect from October 2, 2019.

The decision comes a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, urged people to shun single-use plastic from October 2, on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

Railway Board asked Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Development Corporation (IRCTC) to implement the return of plastic drinking bottles as part of Extended Producer Responsibility.

The Ministry of Railways also urged the corporation to set up plastic bottle crushing machines in major railway stations expeditiously.

According to reports, the Railways has emphasised on making necessary arrangements to minimise generation of plastic waste and its eco- friendly disposal.

Railway employees were also advised to reduce, reuse and refuse plastic products and to use inexpensive reusable bags to reduce plastic footprint.

A pledge will also be administered on 2nd October to cut use of plastics.