According to a recent report, aluminium or steel water cans may replace plastic water bottles in Indian railways if the cabinet ministry approves a consumer affairs ministry proposal. As per the report, the cans would be initially offered to railway passengers, especially on premium trains such as Tejas Express and Vande Bharat Express.
Government officials familiar with the matter said that the consumer affairs ministry is in talks with the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) to produce steel cans in two of the most common grades of food-grade stainless steel - 18/8 and 18/10, also known as Type 304.
“We are in talks with SAIL for making water bottles/cans for the railways’ Rail Neer brand. These will be initially offered to passengers aboard premium trains such as Tejas Express and Vande Bharat Express,” said a source in the consumer affairs ministry.
The officials said the government is also in consultation with private players like PepsiCo and Coca Cola who have already shown interest to supply aluminium water cans, through their respective Aquafina and Dasani brands.
“We will certainly consider steel/aluminium cans to replace plastic bottles and are resolved to replace plastic bottles phase-wise,” said Siddhartha Singh, public relations officer of the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
He also added, “Even now, polymer-based bottles given in Tejas Express degrade by 40 per cent in 80 days, and cost only 15 paise extra to manufacture compared to normal bottles.”
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