Plastic cups in trains could soon be a thing of the past with the Railways planning to move over to agro-based and recycled material for catering purposes.

This step is being taken as part of Railways' efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

The country's largest transporter is also planning to set up an energy management company to harness the potential of wind and solar power.

"Railways remain firmly committed to protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development and use of energy efficient technologies," Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal today said while presenting the 2013-14 Railway Budget in the Lok Sabha.

Besides, Railways would encourage more use of agro-based and recycled paper and "ban use of plastic in catering".

Bansal said there are also plans to set up 75 MW windmills besides utilising solar power for 1,000 level crossings.

Presenting the 2013-14 Rail Budget, Bansal said a Railway Energy Management Company (REMC) would be set up to harness wind and solar energy.

Meanwhile, Railways would set up six more Rail Neer bottling plants at Vijayawada, Nagpur, Lalitpur, Bilaspur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad.