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| Bio Toilets fitted in Railway coach |
Introduction
In recent years, Indian Railways has been taking significant steps towards modernisation and sustainability. One of the noteworthy innovations is the implementation of bio toilets in trains. This article will delve into the fascinating world of bio toilets, explaining how they work and their impact on the environment and passengers.
What is Bio Toilets in Railway?
Bio toilets, short for biological toilets, are an eco-friendly toilets designed to address the sanitation needs of trains while minimising their impact on the environment. These toilets employ a unique mechanism that utilises bacteria to break down human waste into non-harmful byproducts mainly water and gases like methane and carbon dioxide. The system employs anaerobic bacteria to facilitate the decomposition process.
By commencing with the installation of 57 bio-toilets in a single train, the Gwalior-Varanasi Bundelkhand Express, in January 2011, Indian Railways has progressively made 100% coaches equipped with bio-toilets. This is a significant achievement, given the size and scale of the Indian Railways network. The technology for Bio-toilets has been innovated, designed and is ‘Made in India’. It has been developed jointly by Indian Railways’ Engineers & DRDO’s scientists.
In the last 7 years, we have converted all toilets in the railways to bio-toilets
— Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) May 30, 2021
We are today a Swachh Railway and our stations are clean with toilets well maintained: Minister @PiyushGoyal pic.twitter.com/OhS3PQsAYH
Benefits of Bio-toilets
Here are some of the benefits of bio-toilets in railways:
- Improved hygiene and sanitation: Bio-toilets are more hygienic than traditional toilets because they use bacteria to break down waste. This eliminates the need for water and chemicals, which can harbor harmful germs.
- Reduced environmental impact: Bio-toilets are more environmentally friendly than traditional toilets because they do not require water or chemicals. This helps to reduce water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Reduced maintenance costs: Bio-toilets are easier to maintain than traditional toilets because they do not have any moving parts. This can save Indian Railways a significant amount of money in maintenance costs.
How Bio Toilets Works In Trains
Anaerobic Bacterial Tanks: Bio toilets consist of anaerobic bacterial tanks located beneath the toilet seats. Anaerobic bacteria thrive in an oxygen-deprived environment.
Waste Decomposition: When a passenger uses the bio toilet, the waste is collected in these tanks. Here, anaerobic bacteria get to work, breaking down the organic matter in the waste.
Biogas Generation:As the bacteria break down the waste, they produce biogas as a byproduct. This biogas primarily comprises methane, which can be harnessed for various purposes.
Harmless Discharge:The remaining effluent after the bacterial action is harmless and safe to discharge onto the tracks. It is devoid of any foul odour or pollution.
Here are the steps involved in the bio-toilet system in trains:
- The user flushes the toilet.
- The waste falls into the collection chamber.
- The waste is transferred from the collection chamber to the digestion chamber.
- The bacteria in the digestion chamber break down the waste into methane gas, carbon dioxide, and water. The carbon dioxide and water are released into the atmosphere.
FAQs
Q. Are bio toilets completely odour-free?
A. Bio toilets are designed to minimise odours significantly, making them a much more pleasant option than traditional toilets.
Q. Can the biogas generated from bio toilets be used for other purposes?
A. Yes, the methane-rich biogas generated in bio toilets can be harnessed for energy purposes, contributing to the railways' energy needs.
Q. Do bio toilets require more water for flushing?
A. No, bio toilets are designed to be water-efficient, using minimal water for flushing.
Q. Are there any health concerns associated with bio toilets?
A. Bio toilets are safe and do not pose any health risks to passengers or the environment when properly maintained.
Q. How can passengers identify a bio toilet in a train?
A. Bio toilets are typically labeled as such, and their design may differ slightly from traditional toilets, with a separate chamber for waste decomposition.
In addition to earnest efforts being put in by Indian Railways, the success of this important project largely depends on the co-operation of its valued customers/ passengers by not throwing any in-organic material like paper, bottles, paper/ plastic cups, polythene, napkins, nappies, cloth, cigarette/ bidi buds etc. in toilet pans/ bowls.
