Eco-friendly pilot replaces plastic bed-roll covers, 40,000 bags distributed on Independence Day lunch

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati to replace conventional plastic with biodegradable and compostable alternatives, marking a step towards greener railway operations.

As part of a pilot initiative, NFR has rolled out eco-friendly bed-roll bags made from bio-plastic developed at IIT-Guwahati’s in-house research facility. The material degrades quickly in compost, significantly reducing landfill waste, according to officials.

The initiative was formally launched on 15 August with 40,000 bags distributed across 25 trains originating from terminals in Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh.

“The collaboration not only enhances passenger convenience but also lowers the carbon footprint and conserves natural resources,” NFR said in a release.

The railways zone has already implemented a range of sustainability measures including rapid electrification, solar energy generation, rainwater harvesting, AI-based elephant intrusion detection systems, automatic coach washing plants and bio-toilets.

Officials said the IIT-Guwahati collaboration underscores a scalable model for integrating eco-friendly technologies into railway operations.