Prayagraj: What was once headed for the scrap pile is now serving railway passengers as a basic but crucial amenity. Reusable toilet components recovered from coaches during overhauling were refurbished and converted into modular bio-toilets at four NSG-6 railway stations (Non-Suburban Group-6, generally referring to smaller railway stations serving local and rural passengers) in the North Central Railway’s Jhansi division.According to chief public relations officer, NCR, Dr Shivam Sharma, the CMLR workshop in Jhansi developed and installed the facilities at Matatila, Jakhora and Jiron stations in Lalitpur district and Basai station in Datia district. The initiative provided sanitation facilities at stations catering largely to passengers from nearby rural and local areas.The workshop reused components such as fibre-reinforced plastic lavatory modules, bio-tanks, water tanks and other coach accessories recovered during periodic overhauling. Instead of being treated as scrap, the components were inspected, cleaned, repaired and refurbished before being put to use.The entire exercise was carried out using the workshop’s own technical manpower and facilities. Staff undertook repairs, fabricated supporting structures, assembled the modular units and provided water supply, sanitary, plumbing and drainage connections.According to Dr Sharma, the initiative reduced dependence on new materials and enabled the railway to create passenger amenities at a lower cost by making optimum use of existing resources. It also reflects the ‘Waste to Wealth’ concept and the ‘Reuse–Refurbish–Rebuild’ approach.The new facility is expected to be particularly useful for women, children, senior citizens and Divyangjan (persons with disability) travelling through the four stations, where access to clean and convenient toilets is especially important.The initiative highlights the technical capabilities of the CMLR Workshop in finding practical solutions to passenger needs while reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency. Railways plans to continue focusing on innovative, low-cost measures to improve amenities at smaller stations, said the CPRO.
