Parliament Question: Bio-toilets installed in Trains

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2920 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025 BIO-TOILETS INSTALLED IN TRAINS 2920 SHRI B K PARTHASARATHI:

SHRI MOHIBBULLAH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) the number of bio-toilets installed in trains across the Country, classified by the type of train service;

(b) whether the Government has set any targets for the installation of bio-toilets in trains during the current financial year;

(c) if so, the details thereof including targets, categories and zone-wise and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government has put in place any interim mechanism to prevent open defecation on railway tracks from trains which are yet to be fitted with bio-toilets;

(e) if so, the details of such mechanisms/initiatives and if not, the reasons therefor;

(f) whether the Government has launched any awareness campaigns to promote the use of trash receptacles in train washrooms to prevent the clogging of bio-toilets due to non-biodegradable waste; and(g) if so, the details thereof including the modes of dissemination and coverage of such campaigns? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a). to (g) To eliminate direct discharge of human waste onto Railway tracks and for improving hygiene and cleanliness, zero discharge Bio-toilet system has been adopted by Indian Railways for coaches. The work has been taken up in mission mode by Indian Railways.

At present, all passenger carrying mainline coaches equipped with toilets have been provisioned with Bio-toilets. This has also prevented corrosion of Rail Fittings due to Human waste.

The details of provision of Bio-toilets (as on 30.06.2025) are as

under:

Period No. of Bio-Toilets fitted 2004-14 9,587 only 2014-25 3,33,191 (More than 34 times) In order to ensure proper functionality of bio-toilets, awareness campaign is launched during “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” every year to sensitize all passengers about the cleanliness of coach and toilets.

Additionally, following actions are also being taken to generate awareness among passengers regarding bio-toilets functionalityand cleaning to prevent clogging due to non-biodegradable

waste:  Informative stickers and notices are placed inside toilets with Do’s and Don’ts activities i.e. not to throw the garbage/plastic bottles etc. in Bio-Toilets.  Dustbins have been provided in all the toilets of Coaches to encourage proper disposal of waste.

 Video clips and Audio announcement highlighting Bio- toilets usage instructions are broadcasted through Public Announcement System.  To facilitate the upkeep of the coaches during run On Board Housekeeping Service (OBHS) and Clean Train Stations

(CTS) services are also provided for en-route attention.  Maintenance of coaches including Bio-Toilets is carried at Coaching Depots/Terminals in line with laid out detailed guidelines and prescribed standards.

Cleanliness is an ongoing process and Indian Railways make continuous efforts to keep trains well maintained and clean.

Full scale deployment of bio-toilets in coaches has resulted in a paradigm shift in the level of cleanliness across railway tracks and especially at railway stations, where the foul smell/sight associated with human waste is not being felt/seen any more.

This has also resulted in enhanced safety of rolling stock and rail tracks as lack of human waste/spatters on rail tracks/under- gears of rolling stock ensure quality in maintenance work. *****