CB BureauThe Indian Railways is right on track in its task of fitting
bio-toilets in coaches, with over 2,000 installed so far. These green toilets
have been designed by Railways along with Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO).
The bio-toilets have been fitted in sleeper and AC coaches
that will be used mostly in Rajdhani, Shatabdi, double decker and mail/express
trains. These will not only help in maintaining cleanliness by preventing
discharge of human waste on tracks, but will also protect the railway lines
from corrosion. Corrosion costs railways over Rs 350 crore every year.
The open hole in direct discharge toilets is often also used
as a substitute garbage bin. Under the new system, passengers will have to do
their bit in order to contribute to optimal functioning of these toilets – the
sachets of tobacco, plastic bottles and plastic wrappers normally tossed in the
commode will hamper the functioning of the toilets.
The
bio-toilets are fitted below the coach floor underneath the lavatories and the
human waste discharged into these is acted upon by a particular kind of
bacteria that converts human waste into non-corrosive neutral water.