Sustainable Waste Management in Indian Railways: A Legal Analysis within the Framework of Circular Economy and Environmental Ethics
Keywords:
Waste Management, Circular Economy, Environmental Law, Indian Railways, Sustainability, Legal FrameworkAbstract
Disposal of solid, hazardous, and biological waste in the widespread operations of Indian Railways raises acute environmental, legal, and ethical challenges. This research offers a doctrinal analysis of the prevailing legal regime governing waste management in India, with specific reference to the North-Western region of Indian Railways. The research critically analyzes prominent legislative instruments, including the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and railway-specific regulation provisions, to assess their alignment with international sustainability priorities and ethical principles on the basis of the circular economy paradigm. Through a detailed analysis of statutory provisions, judicial precedents, and policy regimes, the research pinpoints the regulatory control gaps and recommends implementable legal interventions towards fostering compliance and effectiveness. Furthermore, the research analyses the interface between legislative requirements, administrative enforcement powers, and stakeholder participation in framing a sustainable and legally effective waste management regime in Indian Railways. The research adds to academic scholarship on sustainable urban development by offering well-reasoned legal recommendations for enhancing regulatory enforcement and aligning waste management practices in Indian Railways with international environmental law standards
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