Lok Sabha Question No. 2920 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Bio-toilets installed  in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Mohibbullah, Shri B K Parthasarathi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2920 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## BIO-TOILETS INSTALLED IN TRAINS

## 2920   SHRI B K PARTHASARATHI:

## SHRI MOHIBBULLAH:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  bio-toilets  installed  in  trains  across  the Country, classified by the type of train service;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  set  any  targets  for  the installation of bio-toilets in trains during the current financial year;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  targets,  categories  and zone-wise and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  put  in  place  any  interim mechanism  to  prevent  open  defecation  on  railway  tracks from trains which are yet to be fitted with bio-toilets;
- (e) if  so, the details of such mechanisms/initiatives and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (f) whether  the  Government  has  launched  any  awareness campaigns to promote the use of trash receptacles in train washrooms  to  prevent  the  clogging  of  bio-toilets  due  to non-biodegradable waste; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof including the modes of dissemination and coverage of such campaigns?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a).  to  (g)    To  eliminate  direct  discharge  of  human  waste  onto Railway tracks and for improving hygiene and cleanliness,  zero discharge Bio-toilet system has been adopted by Indian Railways for  coaches.    The  work  has  been  taken  up  in  mission  mode  by Indian Railways.

At  present,  all  passenger  carrying  mainline  coaches  equipped with toilets have been provisioned with Bio-toilets. This has also prevented corrosion of Rail Fittings due to Human waste.

The details of provision of Bio-toilets  (as  on  30.06.2025) are  as under:

| Period   | No. of Bio-Toilets fitted     |
|----------|-------------------------------|
| 2004-14  | 9,587 only                    |
| 2014-25  | 3,33,191 (More than 34 times) |

In  order to ensure proper functionality of bio-toilets, awareness campaign  is  launched  during  'Swachh  Bharat  Abhiyan'  every year to sensitize all passengers about the cleanliness of coach and toilets.

Additionally, following actions are also being taken to generate awareness among passengers regarding bio-toilets functionality and  cleaning  to  prevent  clogging  due  to  non-biodegradable

waste:

-  Informative  stickers  and  notices  are  placed  inside  toilets with Do's  and Don'ts activities i.e. not to throw the garbage/plastic bottles etc. in Bio-Toilets.
-  Dustbins have been provided in all the toilets of Coaches to encourage proper disposal of waste.
-  Video clips and Audio announcement  highlighting Biotoilets  usage  instructions  are  broadcasted  through  Public Announcement System.
-  To facilitate the upkeep of the coaches during run On Board Housekeeping  Service  (OBHS)  and  Clean  Train  Stations (CTS) services are also provided for en-route attention.
-  Maintenance of coaches including Bio-Toilets is carried at Coaching  Depots/Terminals  in  line  with  laid  out  detailed guidelines and prescribed standards.

Cleanliness  is  an  ongoing  process  and  Indian  Railways  make continuous efforts to keep trains well maintained and clean.

Full scale deployment of bio-toilets in coaches has resulted in a paradigm shift in the  level  of  cleanliness  across  railway  tracks and  especially  at  railway  stations,  where  the  foul  smell/sight associated  with  human  waste  is  not  being  felt/seen  any  more. This has also resulted in enhanced safety of rolling stock and rail tracks  as  lack  of  human  waste/spatters  on  rail  tracks/undergears of rolling stock ensure quality in maintenance work.

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