NFR Collaborates with IIT Guwahati to adopt Biodegradable Compostable Materials replacing use of Traditional Plastic
Maligaon, 14th August, 2025:
Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), under the leadership of General Manager Shri Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, has taken a significant step towards environmental sustainability by joining hands with IIT Guwahati, led by Professor Vimal Katiyar, to introduce biodegradable and compostable materials as a replacement for conventional plastic. Developed at IIT Guwahati’s in-house Research and Development facility, this ISO 17088 compliant bio-plastic degrades in compost within a short time. As a pilot initiative, NFR has introduced eco-friendly green bed-roll bags on its trains, replacing traditional plastic bags used for distributing linen to passengers. The initiative will formally be rolled out on 15th August 2025, coinciding with the celebration of India’s 79th Independence Day, with around 40,000 such bags to be distributed across 25 trains originating from terminals in Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh.
NFR has always been at the forefront towards adopting green initiatives over its transportation system. The zone has implemented rapid railway electrification, solar energy generation, AI-based intrusion detection systems to safeguard elephants and others, rainwater harvesting, quick watering systems, automatic coach washing plants, bio-toilets, mechanized cleaning system, composting of solid waste, afforestation, and the transformation of waste lands into green areas. Notably, the inoculum generation plant at Kamakhya has played a vital role in recycling biodegradable waste, which helps in reprocessing used bed-roll bags into new ones, further reducing plastic pollution.
The collaboration with IIT Guwahati, coupled with NFR’s sustained eco-friendly measures, marks a practical and scalable approach towards greener railway operations. This initiative not only enhances passenger convenience through durable and environmentally responsible solutions but also contributes towards reducing landfill waste, lowering the carbon footprint and conserving natural resources. By aligning operational efficiency with ecological responsibility, NFR continues to lead by example in building a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future for the railway sector and the communities it serves.