Several sustainability initiatives taken up, says SWR GM

General Manager of South Western Railway P. Ananth has said that the railway zone had taken up several sustainability initiatives including green infrastructure, full electrification, solar installations and freight optimisation by shifting bulk commodities from road to rail to reduce emissions.

He was speaking at the plantation drive organised to mark World Environment Day here on Friday. Under the drive, the SWR planted 750 saplings across the railway zone.

Mr. Ananth also emphasised about zero-waste practices, water recycling, eco-friendly waste management, energy conservation, afforestation, and campaigns against single-use plastics and littering, along with energy-efficient upgrades across buildings. Sustainability should be embedded in daily operations, he said, urging railway personnel to renew their commitment towards running trains that are faster, cleaner, and smarter while protecting the environment for future generations.

He highlighted that the daily decisions taken by railway professionals significantly influenced both economic growth and environmental well-being of the country.

Elaborating on the theme of World Environment Day “Inspired by Nature for Climate for Our Future”, he said that it held special relevance for the railways, emphasising that the railway personnel were not just operators of infrastructure but custodians of one of the nation’s most environmentally sustainable modes of transport.

Additional General Manager Rama Mohana Redd, Chief Mechanical Engineer (Environment) Krishnaraj K.K. and other principal heads of various departments were present.