India, Feb. 1 -- In a move aimed at making train toilets odour-free, Mumbai will soon get its first anaerobic microbial inoculum (AMI) bacteria plant along with a laboratory at the Lower Parel railway workshop.

The bacteria, originally sourced from Antarctica, was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for bio-toilets to efficiently break down human waste into odourless, pathogen-free biogas and water, addressing sanitation issues in long-distance trains. According to Western Railway (WR) officials, the plant will have the capacity to produce 300,000 litres of bacterial liquid per day.

The facility's construction is scheduled to begin in July and is expected to be completed within six months. The AMI plant...