Question : Bio-Vacuum Toilets in Trains

(a) whether it is true that the Railways are considering introducing vacuum toilets in trains and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it is also true that the first prototype of a hybrid vacuum toilet has already been installed in the Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express on trial basis;
(c) if so, the details thereof:
(d) the advantages of these toilets as compared to the ones that are already in existence; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to install these toilets in other trains and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reason therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) Yes, Madam. A development tender for 80 vacuum toilets for 40 coaches is under consideration.

(b) & (c) Yes, Madam. A hybrid vacuum toilet, combining requisite features (i) of standard vacuum toilet system (being used in advanced railway systems of the world) and (ii) of bio-toilet system (being used in Indian railways network), has been installed for trial in a First Class air conditioned coach of Dibrugarh Rajdhani in September 2015.
(d) The following advantages are envisaged by using hybrid vacuum toilets:
1. Elimination of direct discharge of human waste from coach toilets onto the railway tracks and platform aprons at stations.
2. Significantly less quantity of water is used for flushing human waste thereby resulting in substantial water saving.
3. No need to evacuate waste collected in retention tanks and thus no need to install expensive waste handling facilities for evacuation of waste.
(e) The decision to install these toilets in trains will depend upon the outcome of the trials and acceptability of such toilets.

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