Environment Friendly Toilet System in Railways

Jacob Abraham*

            Discharge on Railway tracks, besides leading to environmental issues creates problems for workmen on track also. The solution to this issue is haunting railways for years. The Gwalior based  Defense Research and Development Organization has come out with a solution to this problem. They have developed the green toilet system and technology.  An MoU has been signed by railways with DRDO for technology development.

            The first prototype rake with bio toilets was developed and trial was conducted successfully.

            Now this odourless and hygienic bio toilets are fitted in the KochuveliBangalore Express running between Thiruvananthapuram and Bangalore, which has become the first train from the Kerala and in Southern Railways fitted with bio toilets.  Railways plans to manufacture 25,00 coaches with Bio toilets during 2012-13.

            Unlike traditional toilets which discharge waste on the railway  tracksthe new toilet treat the waste in a tank below the coaches. Bacteria in the tank convert the waste into harmless gas and water. The left over in the tank is free from harmful germs.

Benefits of Bio toilet

·        Environment Friendly

·        Preventing damages to track due to corrosion

·        Improved aesthetics at Railway Stations

Advantage of Bio toilets

·        Require less maintenance

·        Simple in design

·        Easier retrofitment on existing coaches in service

·        Can be in operation up to two years

            The water passing through the chlorine tank is discharged  as clean water and the gas escape into the atmosphere. The bacteria once charged will remain till next over hauling of the coach after two years, if managed properly by the passengers and the cleaning staff.

            The Kapurthala coach factory manufactures the new age toilets which cost over one lakh rupees a piece.

            The staff of the Thiruvananthapuram Railway division have been trained to maintain the bio toilets fitted coaches. The success of the bio toilets largely depends on how passengers use it. The passengers are advised not to put any bottles, plastics or napkin in the bio toilets.

            Gone are the days for the passengers, who were forced to travel on long distance trains which were stinking from the coach toilets with Railways kicking off this green initiative by introducing environment friendly bio toilets.

(PIB Features.)

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*Deputy Director (M&C), PIB, Thiruvananthapuram.

Source:-PIB