CURATED BY – EJAZ AHMED USMANI | CITYCHIEFNEWS

Indian Railways has installed bio toilets in coaches of all trains with the technical support of Defense Research and Development Institute (DRDO) to make trains and surrounding environment environment friendly. About 11000 bio toilets have been installed in coaches of all passenger trains of North Western Railway. According to Captain Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Western Railway, in view of excessive dirt on stations and railway tracks due to traditional toilets, the work of installing bio toilets in coaches of all trains was started from the year 2013 with the technical support of Defense Research and Development Institute (DRDO). Bio-toilet is a complete waste management solution which converts solid human waste into bio-gas and water with the help of bacterial inoculum. From time to time, as per the requirement, these bacteria are put in the bio tank when the quantity decreases. The water left over from the bio-toilet is colourless, odourless and devoid of any solid particles. It does not require any further treatment/waste management, which keeps the environment environmentally friendly. By using bio-toilet, waste material and water does not fall on the railway line, which increases the quality and life of the railway track due to no problem of rust etc. By using bio-toilet, coach maintenance staff also gets relief from dirt and odour while working in the under frame under the coach.

According to Captain Shashi Kiran, efforts are also being made to upgrade these bio-toilets from time to time. Many changes have been made while using these bio-toilets, keeping in mind passenger feedback and other problems, such as “P” trap has been changed to “S” trap, which creates a water seal in the toilets, due to which there is no problem of odour. Along with this, proper ventilation has also been arranged. Trained staff is deployed with necessary equipment for immediate solution of problems arising in these toilets in moving trains. Dustbins have also been arranged in the toilets so that the waste is disposed of properly and the bio-toilets do not get choked.

To keep these bio-toilets functioning properly and environment friendly, the waste material coming out is checked periodically. For this check, laboratories have been set up in various divisions. The laboratory set up in Jaipur is a NABL certified laboratory. All passengers are requested to cooperate with the railways for the proper functioning of these toilets. Passengers should not throw newspapers, napkins, bottles, plastic, polybags, clothes, gutka pouches, tea cups and other garbage etc. in these toilets. If necessary, use the dustbin kept in the toilet.

After use, please flush and do not unnecessarily dirty the toilet. Perform the duty of a responsible citizen, help the railways in the war against dirt.