Kerala gets its first train with bio-toilets

The Train Will Connect The State With Bangalore; First-Of-Its Kind In Southern Railway

George Adimathra TNN 

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala will have the first train in Southern Railway which have bio-toilets fitted on all its compartments. The new rake which arrived at Kochuveli terminus in Thiruvananthapuram last week, will be one of the trains running between the state and Bangalore as Kochuveli-Bangalore express, once, the now triweekly, becomes a daily service. 
Senior divisional mechanical engineer, Venugopal told TOI that the effort was not part of any trial exercise and it would be the first environment friendly train in Kerala and Southern Railways. 
“The bio-toilets employ anaerobic bacteria provided by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), to deal with the faecal waste produced on board the train. While existing toilets in trains just flush the human waste on to the tracks, this train has a tank fitted underneath all the toilets, which will collect the waste. 
“The bacteria in the tank will break down the waste and the residue would be just waste water. The technology has been under trial for many years and has been approved. This will be one among the few trains in India which will boast of bio-toilets,” Venugopal said. 
The official said that a layer of cow dung would be put inside the container to facilitate the fast growth of bacteria. 
“If properly maintained we would not require a re-shot of bacteria for 18 months. The mechanical department would also conduct regular sample testing of waste water to ensure pollution levels. 
 “While some trains running in SR has employed bio-toilets on trial basis, this is the first time a full rake is getting fitted by the green toilets in the zone. It is part of Indian Railways effort to stop the decade old procedure of flushing waste on tracks,” Venugopal further said. 
The 16315/16316 Kochuveli-Bangalore-Kochuveli express was supposed to become a daily service from July 1. However it was stalled, after railway passengers protested the change of timings. Currently, a decision regarding this is pending before the railway board.
(Times of India dt 9-7-2012)