Railways to bring back earthen tea cups: Which stations first?

Mumbai: In a move to reduce plastic and paper pollution, Eastern Railways has decided to reintroduce earthen cups for serving tea and buttermilk at the kiosks on railway station platforms. Earthen glasses would be introduced in 12 stations in the initial phase. However, the shop owners have expressed their displeasure, citing rising expenses, despite the fact that it is eco-friendly and sustainable.

Failed project
This is not the first time that tea and juice were served in earthen glasses in railway stations. In 2004, then Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav launched the project to support local producers of clay pots. Minister Piyush Goyal also continued it in 2019. However, these failed as earthen glasses are expensive than paper glasses. Moreover, it was difficult to handle the earthenware glasses.

Disadvantages
An earthen cup or glass costs Rs 8–10 per piece. Small-scale tea vendors are unable to buy numerous cups at this price. The earthen pot sellers based in Dharavi supply clay pots and cookware in various parts of the city. The price might vary depending on the quality and size of the glass. Earthenware glasses with a glazed surface, sold at supermarkets, are too expensive. Meanwhile, paper cups cost between 50 paise and Rs 1 per piece. This price would decrease further when purchased in bulk. Tea sellers say that around 30 per cent of the paper cups are damaged by the time they reach the vendors from the producers. Earthen cups are more likely to be damaged or broken than glass cups. Besides, earthen cups may be casually handled in a crowded place like a railway station.

Stations
Dadar, Bandra, Andheri, Mumbai Central, Palghar, Dahanu Road, Bilimora, Valsad, Wapi, Navsari, Surat and Nandurbar are the railway stations where earthen cups would be introduced in the first phase.