**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 2022 in the Lok Sabha, concerning waste management in trains. The Minister of Railways outlines the measures taken to ensure clean and effective waste disposal, including waste collection, dustbins, and bio-toilets. The question was to be answered on 11.02.2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Waste Disposal Procedures:**
* Waste from catering services is disposed of according to established procedures.
* Waste generated inside trains is collected in garbage disposal bags at designated en-route stations.
* Collected waste is segregated, secured in garbage bags, and unloaded at en-route stations.
* No waste is kept open inside the pantry car and is disposed of in appropriate manner as per rules and regulations including those for plastics and other non-environment friendly materials.
* **Infrastructure and Equipment:**
* Dustbins are provided in all passenger coaches.
* Large plastic or stainless steel refuse bins with lids have been installed in pantry cars.
* **Responsibilities:**
* Bearers and waiters are responsible for collecting waste items from the coaches after serving passengers.
* **Bio-Toilets:**
* All coaches are fitted with bio-toilets for safe and eco-friendly disposal of human waste.
* Bio-toilets use bacterial treatment to decompose waste, preventing direct discharge and reducing foul smell.
* 9,587 bio-toilets were fitted between 2004-2014
* 3,61,572 bio-toilets were fitted between 2014-till date
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology**
* **Impact:**
* Expected to implement and enforce the waste management measures outlined.
* **Action Required:**
* Ensure compliance with existing procedures for waste disposal.
* Maintain and expand the infrastructure for waste collection and disposal.
* Continue fitting coaches with bio-toilets.
**Catering Staff (Bearers and Waiters)**
* **Impact:**
* Expected to adhere to protocols for waste collection from passengers.
* **Action Required:**
* Collect waste items from respective coaches after serving passengers.
**Passengers**
* **Impact:**
* Should experience cleaner train environments due to improved waste management practices.
* **Action Required:**
* Utilize dustbins and cooperate with catering staff in waste disposal efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The primary ministry responsible for the policy on waste management in trains.
Waste Management in Train: The policy being discussed, focused on disposal and storage of waste in trains.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2022
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026
WASTE MANAGEMENT IN TRAIN
2022. SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the existing system of disposal and storage of used food plates
in train compartments is leading to unhygienic conditions in coaches
and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to review and reform the said
practice;
(c) if so, the details and timeline thereof; and
(d) the measures taken/proposed to be taken to ensure clean, scientific and
effective waste management in running trains?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): Disposal of waste, generated from catering services in trains,
is done as per the laid down procedure issued from time to time. The
following measures are in place to ensure effective waste disposal in
running trains:
● Waste generated inside trains is collected and disposed in garbage
disposal bags at designated en-route stations.
● Provision of dustbin in all passenger coaches.
● All bearers and waiters are responsible for collecting waste items
from the respective coaches after serving passengers.
…2/-
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● The collected waste material is properly segregated & secured in
garbage bags to prevent littering during transportation. The bags are
unloaded at designated en-route stations for further disposal.
● Large-sized plastic or stainless steel refuse bins with proper lids
have been installed in pantry cars so that it does not contaminate
the food process.
● No waste is kept open inside the panty car and is disposed of in
appropriate manner as per rules and regulations including those for
plastics and other non-environment friendly materials.
● Further, to ensure safe and eco-friendly disposal of human waste, all
coaches are fitted with bio-toilets. Bio-toilets use bacterial treatment
to decompose waste, preventing direct discharge on tracks and
reducing foul smell, corrosion, and unhygienic conditions. The details
of provision of bio toilets are as under:
Period Number of Bio-Toilet
fitted
2004-2014 9,587
2014-till date 3,61,572
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