Maha Metro to treat, reuse all waste generated at metro; MoU signed with DRDO for biodigester technology

New Delhi, Jan 6: The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha Metro) will reuse all sewage generated at its metro stations and offices. This water will then be used for cleaning purposes. In order to do so, Maha Metro signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) to install the “biodigester technology” at all its metro stations.

 

 

They are working together to conserve water and protect the environment by installing DRDO's eco-friendly biodigester units (a non-sewered sanitation technology) in its facilities. "A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was inked on January 5, 2021, between Maha Metro and DRDO through which DRDO will render technical support for the implementation of its advanced biodigester Mk-II technology for the treatment of human waste (night soil) in the metro rail network," the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

 

DRDO’s biodigester is an indigenous, green, and cost-effective technology, with a rare distinction of having one of the largest numbers of DRDO-licensees (ToT holders). Indian Railways has already installed about 2.40 lakh biodigesters in its fleet of passenger coaches. Now for Maha Metro, the technology has been revamped and further improved in a bid to save water and space.

 

Earlier, a customized version of this MK-II Biodigester, suitable for treating human waste generated from houseboats in Dal Lake was successfully demonstrated by the DRDO to J&K Administration. Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LWDA) of the J&K Administration has initiated the process to procure 100 units of Mk-II Biodigesters for civil habitats around the Dal Lake so as to minimize water pollution.

 

The implementation of Biodigester MK-II in Srinagar is being monitored by a committee of experts constituted by the High Court of J&K under the Chairmanship of Dr E Sreedharan, former MD of DMRC. When fully implemented, this green technology will significantly reduce the Dal lake pollution.

 

However, this technology is now being upgraded through improvements in the bio-degradation efficiency, design modification, and addition of secondary treatment module. The new reactor is designed to provide more path length with increased biological reaction time, thereby enhancing the bio-degradation efficiency of the system. This technology was primarily developed for the armed forces in high altitude Himalayan regions, including Leh-Ladakh and Siachen glacier.