Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal inspects fitting of bio-toilets on passenger coaches

NEW DELHI: Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal today made a surprise visit to the New Delhi Railway station to inspect the fitting of bio-toilets on passenger coaches.

The bio-toilets, which are used by the Indian Army in the icy heights of world's highest battleground at Siachen glacier, are being fitted on the underframe or the chassis of the coach using specialised welding techniques.

The bio-toilets, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, use a technology based on specially developed bio-digester bacteria that converts human waste into water, methane and carbon dioxide.

Bansal also held in-depth discussions on the various issues associated with the fitment and usage of bio-toilets with senior railway officials.

Keshav Chandra, Member (Mechanical), Railway Board explained that the technology used is the same as that used for making stationary toilets for Indian troops stationed at Siachen.

He said Indian Railways was 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.