At a function organised by the DRDO and the FICCI to promote social impact technologies, a bio-toilet based on the DRDO’s bio-digester technology was inaugurated by Union Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Chemicals and Fertilisers Srikant Jena here on Friday.
Earlier, the DRDO and the FICCI had entered into an MoU for the DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialisation (ATAC) programme. The programme is a unique initiative aiming for commercialisation of cutting edge technologies developed by various labs of the DRDO for civilian applications.
The bio-digester technology was used to decompose biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high-altitude regions such as Siachen and ladakh. Subsequently, on the same line the technology has been developed for resolving the problems of un-decomposed human waste in plain areas as well. The innovation degrades and converts the human waste into usable water and gases in an eco-friendly manner. The generated gas can be utilised for energy, cooking and irrigation water purposes.
The process involves the bacteria which feed upon the fecal matter inside the tank through anaerobic process which finally degrades the matter and releases methane gas that can be used for cooking, along with the treated water. The bio-toilets based upon the bio-digester technology can be manufactured and customised as per the requirement.
Minister Jena said it is a paradox that even today a substantial rural population of the country does not have even a proper private space to defecate. He appreciated the efforts by the DRDO and the FICCI.
The project is being implemented with two state-of-art bio-digester clusters with clean drinking water facility having been set up at the Baleswar Collectorate and Baleswar Bus-Stand.
In the next phase, around 1,000 such toilets are proposed to be commissioned in Odisha, Jena said, adding that the private sector also needs to rise to the occasion and participate in this social cause through their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.