DRDO licencing eco-toilets to private companies

Dhamra: Commercialising the use of its "unique" Bio-Digester technology, which turns human waste into biogas and odourless compost, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is now licencing private companies to build eco-toilets all over the country.

"As part of a FICCI interface programme, we are commercialising the technology so that bio-toilets can reach every nook and corner of the country. It is a unique technology not available anywhere else in the world," Dr W Selvamurthy, Chief Controller at DRDO, said.

"The DRDO has already transferred it to 49 private firms for them to build the eco-friendly toilets, named 'E-LOO', all over the country as per market demand," he said.

The technology uses a process wherein bacteria help in the production of methane gas and water by breaking down human excreta.

According to India Human Development Report 2011, brought out by Institute of Applied Manpower Research of the Planning Commission, about half of Indian households lacked access to sanitation facilities in 2008-09 resulting in outbreak of diseases like diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid.

To prevent open defecation along the Dhamra coast, DRDO has taken up a project of installing 1,000 bio-toilets, which was inaugurated on Sunday by Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh.

Customised for the use of civilians, the Bio-Digester technology was originally developed at the DRDO lab in Gwalior to decompose biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high-altitude regions such as Siachen and Ladakh.

The technology uses a process wherein bacteria help in the production of methane gas and water by breaking down human excreta.

The generated gas can then be utilised for energy, cooking and water for irrigation purposes.

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