As part of its continued effort to provide eco-friendly transport solutions, the Konkan Railway has taken a significant step towards bio-degradation of night soil (human mull) by installing bio-toilets on the platforms of its two major railway stations — Chiplun and Kankawali — en route from Mumbai to Madgaon.
The Konkan Railway Corporation limited (KRCl) is the first railway in the country to have installed bio-toilets on railway station platforms.
Currently installed in Chiplun and Kankawali stations, the bio-toilets — which facilitate eco-friendly and faster disposal of human waste in a most economic manner — will be extended to other major railway stations of the KRCl in coming months.
The bio-Toilet is based on bio-digester technology developed by State-run Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO). The technology is 100 per cent maintenance-free and allows complete elimination of pathogens without requiring the night soil to be disposed through sewage line and septic tank.
“Since it does not require septic tanks and sewage lines, the Bio-Toilets can be installed much faster than a regular RCC toilet. While the latter requires a minimum of 2 months for construction, the Bio-Toilet can be installed in just a couple of days. The saving in cost factor is also 70 per cent less compared to a regular RCC toilet,” KRCl’s chief spokesperson Vaishali Patange said.
"A bio-toilet can be set up a cost of mere Rs 30,000 as against an expenditure of Rs 1 lakh required for installing a conventional toilet," Patange said.
According to Patange, the Bio-Digester is charged initially with anaerobic bacterial inoculums and no further charging is required if the bio-toilet is in regular use. The bio-degradation of the night soil leads to generation of bio-gas which can be utilized for cooking purpose. The clean and odour-less water that is extracted after bio-degradation can be used for irrigation of gardens etc.
The bio-toilets are being widely used by the defence forces in its remote areas. An MOU has been signed by Indian Railways in 2010 with DRDO to develop a bio-toilet system for use in railway coaches for improving environment around railway infrastructure.