Long distance buses in Karnataka will soon have Bio-Toilets

Mangalore Today/ PTI

Bengaluru, Dec 13: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is planning to install bio-toilets in some of its long distance buses. It plans to convert waste into manure and sell it to organisations that approach it.

KSRTC has a fleet of 1,000 buses that it uses for long-distance travel, only five of which are fitted with regular toilets as of now. According to KSRTC officials, these toilets are difficult to clean and maintain.

The bio-toilets will help solve this problem by converting waste into manure with the help of microorganisms. Managing director, KSRTC, Rajender Kataria told The Hindu that this move will help diabetics who have to visit toilets frequently and at the same time, save time as buses will not have to stop. Kataria said that the KSRTC met Indian railway officials to learn how bio-toilets work. KSRTC is also planning to introduce e-wallets and hand-held electronic ticket machines in buses to ease the woes of cash-strapped passengers. These will help passengers make payments, book tickets and get refunds upon cancellation online. The financial burden of introducing bio-toilets will not impact the bus ticket prices