Lok Sabha Question No. 319 (STARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Bio-Toilets
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI, RAMA DEVI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 319 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## BIO-TOILETS

*319. SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI: SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the deficiencies/shortcomings pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor General, in its report in 2017, regarding the bio-toilets  installed  in  the  trains  and  stations  have  been  taken  into consideration by the Railways;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  taken  by  the Railways  thereon,  particularly  about  the  quantity  and  quality  of  the toilets installed by private firms and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether the Railways has taken any initiatives to train the staff and  create  awareness  among  the  general  public  regarding  the maintenance and use of bio-toilets; and
- (d)   if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COAL, FINANCE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  319  BY  SHRI DINESH  TRIVEDI  AND SHRIMATI  RAMA  DEVI  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 08.08.2018 REGARDING BIO-TOILETS

(a)  and  (b)  Yes,  Madam.  Comptroller  and  Auditor  General  of  India (CAG)  in  its  report  no.  36  of  2017  has  mentioned  instances  of deficiencies/complaints such as choking, foul smell, non-availability of dust bins/mugs, non-functional sub-assemblies/components etc. in biotoilets. Bio-toilets, being proliferated in Indian Railways' coaches, are vulnerable  to  misuse.  Generally,  the  problems  of  choking  and  foul smell in coach lavatories are due to use of toilet pan as garbage bins, inadequate  use  of  water  in  flushing  and  inadequate  ventilation. Following actions have been taken by the Railways to address these issues:

- -Passengers are being educated regarding proper use of bio-toilets.
- -Provision  of  individual  dust  bin  in  each  coach  lavatory  has  been made mandatory.
- -Improved flushing system is being installed.
- -Improvement to ventilation systems is also underway to eliminate foul smell.
- -Concerned staff is being trained for proper up-keep and maintenance of bio-toilets.
- -Continual design improvements are being done like replacement of ball valve, P-trap and wire rope operating mechanism with simpler S-trap arrangement.
- -Vacuum based flushing system.

To address quality issues, specifications have been made more stringent  and  stern  assessment of concerned vendors is being done.

Strict inspection of bio-toilet material is being carried out by inspection agencies.

To  address  quantity  issues,  approved  vendor  list  for  retention  tank (bio-toilets)  has  recently  been  revised  and  there  are  20  suppliers  in the  present  Vendor  Directory  having  a  combined  declared  monthly capacity  of  more  than  12800  bio-toilets  (retention  tanks)  which  is adequate for Indian Railways' requirement.  To expedite the supply & installation of bio-toilets in Zonal Railways,  method  of placing Centralised  Rate  Contracts  from  Railway  Board  has  already  been adopted for bulk purchase & accelerated retro-fitment of bio-toilets.

(c)  and  (d)  Yes,  Madam.  A  special  training  module  on  bio-toilet system  has been started in Centre for  Advanced  Maintenance Technology (CAMTECH) at Gwalior for training of staff concerned with up-keep  and  maintenance  of  bio-toilets  in  coaches.  Training  is  also being imparted to the concerned staff in Zonal Railways.

Extensive  public  awareness  campaigns  about  appropriate  usage  of bio-toilets using all means are being conducted by Zonal Railways.

*****