Two stations on the Konkan Railway (KR) line have installed bio-toilets - a first-of-its kind initiative by the Indian Railways. The toilets have come up at Chiplun and Kankavli stations. The railways adopted the bio-digester technology used in the toilets from the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO). An MoU was signed by the Indian Railways with the DRDO in 2010 to develop a bio-toilet system for use in railway coaches. Apart from being maintenance-free, the technology allows elimination of pathogens without requiring disposal of night soil through a sewage line and septic tank. Such bio-toilets are utilised by the defence forces in remote areas. The bio-digester is charged with anaerobic bacterial inoculums and no further charging is required if the bio-toilet remains in regular use - and bio-degradation of night soil leads to generation of biogas, which can be utilised for cooking. Encouraged by the public response, KR has now decided to set up such toilets at all the major stations on its network. The technology is also eco-friendly and cost-effective and allows faster waste disposal, not to mention that the toilets can be installed much quicker than a regular toilet. Additionally, the clean, odourless water that is extracted after bio-degradation can be used for irrigation.