Lok Sabha Question No. 755 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-26
Subject: Bio-Toilets
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kirron  Kher

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 755 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.06.2019

## BIO-TOILETS

## 755. SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has taken any initiative to  train the staff and  create  awareness  among  the  general  public  regarding  the maintenance and use of bio-toilets;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the deficiencies/ shortcomings  pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor General, in its report in 2018, regarding the  bio-toilets  installed  in  the  trains  and  stations  have  been taken into consideration by the Railways; and
- (d) 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?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b):  Indian  Railways  are  taking  all  the  necessary  initiative  like ensuring training of staff, availability of dust bins/mugs, improvement  in  flushing  system,  provision  of  ventilation  system, improved  coach  cleaning,  design  improvements,  augmentation  of required infrastructure etc. to ensure proper and smooth functioning of bio-toilets in all the trains.

Zonal  Railways  are  organizing  passenger  awareness  campaign  at stations by regular announcement,  display  of  short films etc. Stickers  regarding  proper  use  of  bio-toilets  have  been  provided  in coach  lavatories.  Further,  a  short  film  has  also  been  uploaded  on social media highlighting correct usage of bio-toilets. Public awareness campaign about appropriate usage of bio-toilets through media  is  also  being  conducted.  Passengers  are  being  informed through models etc. at some of the railway stations.

(c)  &  (d):    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 bio-toilets. 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.

Out of 64280 coaches, 56779 coaches have been fitted with biotoilets till May 2019.

Following  actions  have  been  taken  by  the  Railways  to  address these issues:

-  Passengers  are  being  educated  regarding  proper  use  of  biotoilets.
-  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.

The address quality issues, approved vendor list for retention tank (bio-toilet)  has  been  revised  and  there  are  sufficient  number  of suppliers in the present  Vendor  Directory  having  a  combined declared monthly capacity of more than 14000 bio-toilets (retention tanks)  which  is  adequate  for  Indian  Railways  requirement.  To expedite the supply and installation of bio-toilets in Zonal Railways, method  of  placing  Centralized  Rate  Contracts  from  Railway  Board has already been adopted for bulk purchase and accelerated retrofitment of bio-toilets.

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