The major features of bio-toilet developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are as under:

• It makes use of an anaerobic (without oxygen) process through which the human waste is digested by consortium of bacteria.
• Bio-toilet has been customized and different designs have been developed for use under different geo-climatic conditions.

The Cow dung is used for the enrichment bacterial consortium. Following four types of bacteria are present in the consortium:

• Hydrolase
• Acidogenase
• Acitogenase
• Methogens

DRDO has transferred the technology to approximately 60 industries all over the country. These industries have installed bio-digesters across the country. A total number of about 16000 bio-digesters have been installed in more than 20 states. In addition, more than 2.5 lakhs bio-digesters have been installed in Indian Railways coaches, which cater to the need of more than 100 lakhs passengers on daily basis.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Dr Krishna Pal Singh Yadav and others in Lok Sabha on March 25, 2022.

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Nampi/Savvy