Trains soon to be equipped with DRDO's bio-digesters

The technology developed by the premier defence research organisation was used to decompose biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high-altitude regions such as Siachen and Ladakh.

"The pilot project to install bio-digesters in trains has been completed successfully. Necessary modifications have been made as per Railways requirement and soon the technology will be implemented on a mass scale," DRDO Chief Controller William Selvamurthy told PTI here.

Keeping in mind the specific requirements of passenger trains, Railways and DRDO signed a MoU to co-develop these bio-digesters to keep railway tracks clean.

"Our Gwalior-based lab, Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), has developed this technology wherein a special form of bacteria is used to treat human waste in zero discharge toilets," Selvamurthy said.

The DRDE deals with micro-organisms and hazardous material. Besides developing technologies for soldiers, it is also working on other concentrations of bacteria and zero discharge toilets for various projects.

"In future, bacteria for charging of bio-toilets will be available in packets and pouches. In zero discharge toilets effluent will be recycled for flushing purpose," said Director, Life Sciences, G Ilavazhagan.

DRDO has also modified the technology to deal with the problem of people throwing all kind of waste materials in train toilets.

The bacteria which is used in these bio-digesters is found in Antarctica and has been modified to suit the different projects of DRDO to make bio-digesters for different climatic regions.