Butt Azhar CNI

In a remarkable year of focused effort and synergy,

39 Gorkha Training Centre(39 GTC) and Varanasi Military station have set new benchmarks in sustainabilityand community welfare. Under the combined leadership of the Army Wives

WelfareAssociation (AWWA) and the Residents Welfare Association (RWA), an array ofeco-friendly innovations has reshaped Varanasi Cantonment into a cleaner,greener, and more dynamic environment. This milestone

transformation alignsseamlessly with the broader mandates of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the FitIndia Movement.*Ban on Single-Use Plastics and ‘Thaila Ghars’*Early last year, the AWWA banned single-use plastic and

polythene.‘Thaila Ghars’ have been introduced to provide cloth bags made from donatedfabric at station gates and shops, thereby reducing reliance on plastics. In tandem,‘Boxes of Kindness’ collect clothing and toys for

underprivileged recipients, withunusable garments repurposed into additional cloth bags for widespread use.*Waste Management at the Source*To strengthen good waste-management practices, a robust Information,Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign has cemented

segregation atthe household level. Blue, Green, and Red bins are allocated for wet, dry, and bio-hazardous waste respectively. Battery-operated collection vehicles begin theirrounds at dawn,

broadcasting Swachh Bharat messages and minimisingdependence on roadside bins. This approach ensures safer disposal and betterprotection for sanitation workers.*Incentivising Responsible Disposal*A

distinctive scheme of Waste Credit Points has allowed residents to depositwrappers and plastics at a specialised ‘Plastic Kachra Bank’, offsetting themanufacturing costs of various products. Furthermore, a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with SHYNA ECO UNIFIED

enables discarded wrappers to bepurchased at INR 5 per kilogram, with instant UPI payments that encourage digitaltransactions.*Conservation Projects and Zero-Waste Initiatives*Integrated conservation efforts have yielded remarkable outcomes.Interlocking PET tiles, made from

waste plastic, provide durable, anti-skidwalkways. Eco-bricks plastic bottles stuffed with polythene are used to buildbenches, sculptures, and seating areas, showcasing a functional circular economy.Meanwhile, bio-toilets constructed from recycled plastic sheets feature bio-digesters that convert waste into usable water.*Creation of a ‘Green Auditorium’*Addressing a longstanding need for a communal venue, 39 GTC

revitalisedolder barracks to create a fully air-conditioned, solar-powered auditoriumoverlooking “Phewa Taal.” Equipped with a 55 KW rooftop solar project (including30 kW off-grid), the facility reduces electricity costs and offers a comfortable settingfor film screenings, lectures, and gatherings, free from

humidity and intrusive noise.*Harnessing Solar Energy and Battery-Operated Fleet*Rooftops and vacant areas within the cantonment have been surveyed foroptimal solar-panel placements. A broad fleet of zero-emission vehicles nowincludes garbage-collection e-vehicles, mini fire tenders, pump platforms, garden-squad

vans, e-bakery vans, e-carts, e-ambulances, e-scooters, and e-cycles,significantly lowering the cantonment’s carbon footprint. This integrated effortrecognises Varanasi’s critical pollution levels, as flagged by the CPCB and WHO.*Modern, Eco-Friendly Facilities*Renovation of 38 toilet-washroom

complexes follows green-buildingprinciples, focusing on ventilation, water conservation, and hygiene. Foodpackaging waste, Tetra Packs, and wrappers are processed into fire-retardant ‘plastply’ sheets used for sentry posts and launderette roofs. A 1000 L/h ReverseOsmosis plant in family lines eliminates the need for individual units, and the ‘GreenLaundrette’

demonstrates how to recycle RO discharge water efficiently. Arefreshed JCO/OR Transit Facility provides modern, morale-boosting amenities forpersonnel.*Holistic Water and Waste

Solutions*Filtration tanks with iron grids and twin-chambers of charcoal and sandremove debris from incoming sewage, while Gambusia fish control mosquito larvae.Flow from the

railway STP powers turbines that generate hydroelectricity for anatural walkway. Updated cookhouses, strengthened by weigh-and-accountprocedures, reduce wastage and employ bio-methanation to convert kitchen refuseinto LPG. Used cooking oil, collected under a separate MoU, is repurposed for otherutility

products.*Enhancing Comfort and Hygiene*A solar-hybrid bathing system ensures hot showers for trainees duringsevere winters, thus preventing skin ailments. Overhead covers allow effectivedrying of clothes in damp conditions, and a modern laundrette, steaming garmentsin

boiling water, helps minimise contagions. Measures such as centralised air-cooling, roof painting for heat reflection, magnetic mosquito curtains, and insulatedwater tanks keep living spaces comfortable, safe, and disease-free.*Community and Residential

Upgrades*Community kitchen gardens, set up on vacant land patches, boostcamaraderie and cut down on water misuse. Car parking and security are enhancedthrough chain-link fencing and orderly parking sheds. ‘Boxes of

Kindness’encourage donations of clothes, toys, and small appliances; and a revamped Sainik Suvidha Parisar ensures a secure environment for daily shopping and recreation,drawing residents away from chaotic local markets.*Pioneering Training Infrastructure*A Bailey bridge now grants easy access to the Shingo Training Area,consolidating training grounds into a 300-acre space. Meanwhile,

dronedevelopment, 3D printing, and a ‘Bahadur’ drone prototype have established 39GTC as a hub for aerial innovation. Digital studios, LED screens, and logistics orcounter-insurgency

training centres improve the quality and reach of instruction.Walk-through sand models (WTSM) simulate desert and mountain warfare, whilerubber INSAS rifles, Khukri fighting drills, and other culturally relevant methodssharpen skills. Extensive IT training has led to practical software solutionsbenefiting ECHS, URC, and

various land-management functions.*A Model for Future Sustainability*By fusing societal well-being with responsible environmental practices, 39GTC, AWWA, and RWA have created a blueprint for progressivetransformation. Sporting events, community engagement, and

ongoingcompetitions reinforce the spirits of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the Fit IndiaMovement. As a testament to the power of collective will and innovation, VaranasiStation now stands as an exemplary model for sustainable growth.(CNI)