Bio-toilets for Indian Railways: Velu

Tiruchirapalli, Jul 2 (UNI) The Railway Ministry has decided to convert the traditional toilets in 34,000 railway coaches into control discharge and bio-toilets during the 11th Five Year Plan at an estimated cost of Rs 4,000 crore, according to Union Minister of State for Railways R Velu.

Addressing a press conference after inspecting the Golden Rock Railway Workshop here today, he said the decision was taken by the Ministry to provide environment-friendly atmosphere in the Railway premises and coaches.

Initially, the proposed conversion work would be entrusted with Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, and Rail Coach Factory (RCF) at Kapurthala. The work would be completd in four to five years time.

The Indian Railways had already introduced the control discharge and bio-toilet systems in seven select trains, including the Rajdhani Express and the feedback on their working was satisfactory.

He said it was also proposed to convert the vacuum brake system of two lakh wagons into air brake system during the 11th Plan period.

The Ministry had taken a policy decision to increase the electrification network in the Indian Railways from the existing 25 per cent to the maximum level.

During the 10th Plan period, the Railways proposed to electrify 2,500 km but last year alone, it completed work on 1,400 Km.

Electrification work would be taken up in all trunk routes and golden quadrilateral road connecting areas.

In Tamil Nadu, he said the electrification work would be taken up between Madurai and Tuticorin and Maniyachi and Nagercoil at a cost of Rs 166 crore.

Besides, Villupuram-Katpadi, Mettupalayam-Coimbatore, Shoranur and Mangalore Sections would also be taken up for electrification work shortly, he added.

UNI RV MDG GM SY VC2047