## Policy Summary: Water Crisis Management and Waste Management in Small Railway Stations
This document summarizes the Indian Railway's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1695 regarding water crisis management and waste management at railway stations, particularly small stations, as of July 30, 2025.
**Water Crisis Management:**
The Ministry of Railways acknowledges reports of inadequate drinking water at small railway stations, especially during the summer. To ensure adequate water supply, Indian Railways monitors water availability and supplements supply through water tankers and additional hand pumps. Initiatives for efficient water management include Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) systems, Water Recycling Plants (for non-potable uses), and regular Water Audits. Collaboration with municipalities and local water suppliers is also undertaken.
**Biotoilets in Passenger Coaches:**
Significant progress has been made in the provision of biotoilets. From 2014 to 2025, 92,232 coaches were equipped with 3,33,191 biotoilets, a substantial increase compared to the 3,647 coaches with 9,587 biotoilets from 2004-2014. All passenger-carrying mainline coaches have been provisioned with biotoilets.
**Integrated Solid Waste Management:**
The Indian Railways employs a multi-faceted approach to solid waste management at railway premises:
* Waste collected inside trains is disposed of at designated en-route stations.
* Two-bin dustbins have been provided at 725 locations for waste segregation.
* 531 Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines (PBCMs) are installed at stations.
* Infrastructure such as 142 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), 86 Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), and 203 Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are in place.
* Dedicated Environment Housekeeping (EnHM) wings have been established in Zonal Railways to monitor and handle waste management.
* The Railways collaborate with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for waste management around station areas.
The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, provided this information.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways: The national railway system of India, responsible for providing and managing railway services.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology of India, who provided the answer to the question.
Rain Water Harvesting (RWH): A method implemented by Indian Railways for efficient water management.
Water Recycling Plants: Facilities used by Indian Railways to treat water for non-potable uses.
Bio toilets: Toilets installed in passenger coaches by Indian Railways to improve sanitation.
Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs): Infrastructure installed at various locations over Indian Railways for waste management.
Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines (PBCMs): Machines installed at railway stations for crushing plastic bottles to manage plastic waste.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1695
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
WATER CRISIS MANAGEMENT IN SMALL RAILWAY STATIONS
1695. SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware about the water crisis in many
small railway stations especially during summer season;
(b) if so, the initiatives implemented/being implemented for efficient
water management at railway stations including rainwater harvesting
and wastewater recycling;
(c) the details of the progress of implementing bio-toilets in all
passenger coaches; and
(d) the details of the plans for integrated solid waste management at
railway premises?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) & (b): Indian Railways ensure ample water supply at railway
stations by measuring expected consumption, making alternative
arrangements for shortfalls, and collaborating with municipalities,
local water tanker suppliers, and other sources as needed. Instances
..2/--2-
of inadequate drinking water have been reported recently at small
railway stations during summer season. Regular monitoring of water
supply at those stations was done to ensure adequate water supply
which includes arranging water tankers, boring additional hand pumps,
etc. Indian Railways has implemented initiatives for efficient water
management, including installing Rain Water Harvesting (RWH)
systems, treating water from Water Recycling Plants for non-potable
uses, and conducting regular Water Audits.
(c): From year 2014 to 2025, 92,232 Coaches with 3,33,191 Bio toilets
were provided against 3647 Coaches with 9587 Bio toilet provided
from year 2004-14. All passenger carrying mainline coaches have been
provisioned with bio-toilets.
(d): System of effective management, including disposal of waste
generated at railway stations and surrounding areas is in place.
Significant initiatives taken in this regard are as follows:
(i) Waste collected inside trains is disposed of at nominated
en-route stations, identified for waste disposal.
(ii) Provision of two bin type dustbins has been carried out at
725 locations for segregation of bio-degradable and non-
biodegradable waste at source.
(iii) Plastic Bottle Crushing Machines (PBCMs) are installed at
531 stations as per requirement.
..3/--3-
(iv) Infrastructure like Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs),
Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), Material Recovery
Facility (MRF) has been installed and commissioned on
need basis, at a number of locations over Indian Railways.
Presently, 142 STPs, 86 ETPs and 203 MRFs are in place.
(v) Dedicated Environment & Housekeeping (EnHM) wings have
been set up in Zonal Railways to monitor/handle waste
management related matters.
(vi) Railways engage with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), who have
a significant role to play in effective waste management
around station areas.
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