Secunderabad Railway Station Sets New Standards: Eco-Friendly Innovations and Sustainability
South Central Railway has been at the forefront in the implementation of eco-friendly practices at Railway stations and other Railway premises across the zone. As part of the same, Secunderabad Division of SCR has undertaken several initiatives to enhance cleanliness and sustainability at Secunderabad Railway Station. The station has an average footfall of around 2 lakh passengers per day and around 197 passenger trains are handled at the station per day. Secunderabad station has become a model for eco-friendly practices, aligning with Indian Railways’ goal of achieving sustainability while providing high quality services to passengers.
At Secunderabad Railway station, top priority is being accorded to energy efficient and environmental friendly practices. The station is equipped with 100% LED lighting, energy-efficient BLDC fans, and inverted star-rated air conditioning units. The station also benefits from a 500 KWP solar power system, helping reduce its carbon footprint.
Secunderabad Railway station has received the prestigious Green Rating of ‘Platinum’ grade from IGBC – CII with first time highest ever score of 94% in Indian Railways. The station is certified with ISO 14001:2015 with validity up to 12.07.2027. Regular water and energy audits ensure continued adherence to best practices in resource management.
Some of the eco-friendly measures being undertaken at Secunderabad station are :
Water Conservation and Recycling Efforts
With daily water consumption of 2400 kiloliters, an effective water management strategy has been adopted at Secunderabad Railway Station. A 500 KLD capacity Water Recycling Sewage Treatment Plant set up at the station ensures minimal wastage, supporting the station’s goal of zero water wastage. This system recycles water for various uses across the station, making significant strides in conservation.
Plastic Recycling and Waste Management
To combat plastic waste, ten plastic bottle shredding machines have been installed in the station, encouraging passengers to participate in recycling efforts. A Material Recovery Facility (waste segregation shed) covering 26 square meters ensures efficient waste segregation. Passengers are guided by the double-dustbin system, where green bins collect biodegradable waste and blue bins handle non-biodegradable waste. The station generates approximately 4 tons of waste daily, as part of on-going efforts to promote cleanliness, a zero-waste management contract is under progress.
Mechanized and Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions
Housekeeping services at Secunderabad Railway Station have been modernized with mechanized cleaning solutions duly using environment-friendly materials. A three-year contract, valued at ₹10.09 crores is in place which covers various cleaning tasks, including rag picking, pest control, and rodent management. The station employs 24 advanced cleaning machines, including Ride-on Scrubber & Driers for granite platform surfaces, Walk-Behind Sweeping Machines for Foot-Over-Bridge cleaning, and Vacuum Cleaners for maintaining dry, slip-free washrooms. Steam cleaning machines are used for glass and tile surfaces, ensuring both hygiene and cleanliness.
Additionally, an E-Rickshaw service is utilized to transport collected waste to a Garbage Segregation Shed, further promoting efficient waste management.
Public Engagement and Awareness
Secunderabad Railway Station continuously engages passengers in cleanliness and health awareness campaigns, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public hygiene. The station is also equipped with 43 toilets, including deluxe pay-and-use facilities, ensuring comfort and sanitation for passengers.
Shri Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager, appreciated the team of Secunderabad Division for implementation of modern & eco-friendly measures at the station. He stated that the Secunderabad Railway Station is setting new standards for eco-friendly operations and modern cleanliness practices within the Indian Railways network. These efforts align with broader national goals of sustainability and environmental responsibility, ensuring a cleaner and greener future for Indian railways and its passengers, he said.
