Northeast Frontier Railway signs MoU with Cotton University for environmental conservation

• DIMAPUR — Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) celebrated World Environment Day 2025 at Rang Bhawan, Maligaon, embracing the global theme ‘Beat plastic pollution.’
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• In a press release, the NFR stated that the event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General Manager of NFR, along with Shalini Shrivastava, president of the Northeast Frontier Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation (NFRWWO).
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  Officials of Northeast Frontier Railway and others during the World Environment Day 2025 celebration at Rang Bhawan, Maligaon.

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• A major highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NFR and Cotton University, Guwahati, to foster collaborative research on environmental conservation.
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• The celebration witnessed the presence of the general manager and senior officials from NFR headquarters. Divisional railway managers (DRMs) and other divisional officers participated virtually from their respective locations, ensuring the message of combating plastic pollution was effectively communicated across the entire NFR network.

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• During the signing of the MoU, NFR was represented by M Kalimuthu, Chief Mechanical Engineer (Environment & Health Management) and Cotton University represented by Dr. Arindam Garg, Registrar.
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• “The MoU lays the foundation for collaborative research and development in major areas such as climate resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, wildlife preservation and AI-driven sustainable transport solutions.
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• “This partnership signifies a progressive step towards integrated environmental stewardship and knowledge-sharing between academia and Indian Railways,” it stated.
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• The programme also featured a guest lecture by Ajay Singh, retired Chief Mechanical Engineer of South Western Railway, who shared insights on eliminating plastic packaging in station cafeterias.
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• A thematic drama titled ‘Beat plastic pollution,’ performed by NFR Scouts and Guides, depicted the harmful lifecycle of a discarded plastic bottle and urged the audience to embrace ‘reduce, reuse, recycle.’
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• In his concluding address, the general manager reaffirmed NFR’s dedication to sustainability and announced new green measures, including the installation of plastic collection bins at 50 major stations and the introduction of reusable teacups in railway waiting rooms.
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• A specially produced short film showcased NFR’s ongoing initiatives eliminating plastic water bottles, installing refillable water stations at key locations and adopting biodegradable alternatives in catering services.
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• Concurrently, an environmental booklet highlighting NFR’s plastic-reduction strategies, recycling partnerships and green success stories was also released.
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• “Through these concerted efforts ranging from the MoU with Cotton University to drama, lectures and on-ground plastic reduction measures NFR reaffirms its commitment to building a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future,” the release added.