OREANDA-NEWS. November 27, 2012. Railway Minister Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal made a surprise visit to the New Delhi Railway station today i.e. 26th November 2012 to see the eco-friendly Bio-toilet developed and fitted on passenger coaches. He held an in-depth discussion on the various issues associated with the fitment and usage of the same with senior railway officials including Member Mechanical, Railway Board Shri Keshav Chandra. Shri Chandra explained to Shri Bansal that the technology used is the same as that used for making stationary toilets for Indian troops stationed at Siachen. Shri Chandra also explained that Indian Railways is the pioneer in developing and implementing this bio-digester bacteria technology on trains. In Europe, the trains mainly use vacuum toilets that are very expensive, akin to those on aircrafts.

 The Indian Railways-DRDO bio-toilets use a technology based on specially developed bacteria by DRDO. The bacteria act upon the human waste and convert it into water, methane and carbon dioxide. It was explained that the toilets have to be fitted on the underframe or the “chassis” of the coach using specialized techniques and that the bio-digester tank is made out of stainless steel for rust prevention. The cutting and welding of stainless steel requires specialized laser cutting and TIG welding process that is not commonly available. Ordinary steel tanks cannot withstand the rigours of the usage.

 It was emphasized that the success of this technology depends on proper usage by the passengers since throwing all kinds of waste material into the Bio-toilets, which does have adequate safeguards against malfunction, cannot handle non bio-degradable waste like plastic bottles, “gutkha” pouches, etc. in large quantities. Shri Bansal instructed the officials that passengers must be educated by pasting suitable, simple but strikingly catchy instructions so that proper usage becomes a habit for them.

 Shri Bansal appreciated the efforts made by the department in developing the Bio-toilets and fitting the same on eight trains. The fitment of bio-toilets on new coaches is being done on a war footing and retrofitment on currently running coaches will be taken up shortly. Shri Bansal was also accompanied by Shri S.K. Sharma, Additional Member(PU), Railway Board, Shri V.K. Gupta, General Manager Northern Railway, Shri Anurag Sachan, Divisional Railway Manager, Delhi Division, and other senior officials.