NHRC asks railways to install toilets in 78 passenger trains

National Human Rights Commission has directed the railways to take necessary steps to equip 78 passenger trains with toilets running in South Central zone.
Acting on the complaint filed on April 20 this year, the apex rights panel has asked the Chairman Railway Board on May 31 to take appropriate action in the matter within eight weeks.
In reply to a Right to information (RTI) query, the Public Information Officer (PIO) of South Central zone at Secunderabad had informed the petitioner that 78 passenger trains are running without a toilet and 86 diesel-electric multiple unit passenger trains have one toilet in each coach in the zone.

The trains are running in Vijayawada, Tenali, Guntur, Rajahmundry, Warangal, Hyderabad, Kazipet, Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam, Gudivada, Narsapur, Bhimavaram Town, Nidadavolu, Peddapalli, Karimnagar, Lingampet, Nagarsol and Jalna in South Central zone.
"Toilet is a basic need for every passenger in the train. Without it passengers, including women and children, are facing many difficulties," the petition said.
Hearing the petition, the Commission, while disposing the case, ordered to the Railway Board to act and inform the complainant of the action taken report in the matter within two months.
Meanwhile, railways has firmed up plans to equip all 55,000 coaches with bio-toilets by 2019.