Beware! Indian Railways has launched crackdown against passengers over this ban; Rs 25,000 penalty

Indian Railways has taken a massive step and launched a crackdown against its own passengers if they are caught violating this ban. Railways says action would be taken against those violating the Maharashtra government's plastic ban which came into effect from Saturday.  "We are in touch with state government agencies to enforce the ban. After getting the nod of state authorities, we will start penalising passengers who are in possession of banned plastic items,"  said Central Railway Chief Commercial Manager Shailendra Kumar.  

Western Railway had formed teams to implement the ban and fines would be levied on violators, its chief spokesperson Ravinder Bhakar told PTI. He further added that under the Swachh Bharat Mission, Western Railway had installed plastic bottle crushing machines at several stations to dispose of plastic waste in an environment-friendly manner.

Along with IRCTC, both Western Railway and Central Railway has planned to install such crushing machines at more stations and inside coaches as well, officials said. However, a member of the Divisional Railway Users Consultative committee (DRUCC) at Central Railway, Shriprakash Kedia said that the Railways should make adequate announcements before beginning to levy fines on those violating the plastic ban. The cause is a laudable one, but often, passengers have simply no choice but to use plastic material. 
 
A ban on manufacture, use, sale, distribution and storage of all plastic materials, including one-time use bags, spoons, plates, PET and PETE bottles and thermocol items had been issued in a notification by the Maharashtra government on March 23, this year
As part of the ban, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, will levy a fine of Rs 5,000, Rs 1,000, Rs 25,000  for the first, second and subsequent violations.