[_delirium]

> But don't flush any ex-soviet train toilets when you're stopped at a train station.

Not just ex-Soviet trains, British ones too. Newer and renovated trains have sewage tanks, but older trains flush directly onto the tracks (and often therefore have a sign in the toilet asking you not to flush when stopped at a station). According to the BBC, as of 2015 this applied to about 10% of the trains in service: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30541015

The tabloids periodically have a field day with it when people notice again that these trains are still not quite phased out. E.g. in 2014, there was a minor sensation about the quantity of "fertiliser" on the tracks producing tomato growth: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/trains-dump-much-human-...

[tn13]

Almost all modern Indian trains are like this too. But I dont think you will get into trouble for shitting on a station.

[eklavya]

Open defecation is such a big problem. There is a big government programme just for this. I hope it succeeds and rids us of this shame.

[tn13]

I really doubt if that problem will ever be tackled. In cities it is a logistical problem. Standing in line for 5 minutes for a proper toilet v/s shitting on a track right away. There is no way on earth we can build sufficient number of toilets for the people in Mulund or Dharavi slums. There are politically incorrect solutions such as letting people defecate in open but provide slightly better facilities which will help tackle all the shit.

In village however the problem is purely cultural. I worked with some NGO which build proper flush toilets but people would prefer to use them as goat shelters. Their priorities are different.

[zeroer]

This is true even without the train.

[tn13]

Only in certain areas. In many villages a person can be beaten up for defecating in open and in some cities it would lead to arrest. Despite all the perception "toilets"has been a priority in many cities and especially villages. If you travel in rural Mahrashtra you will see large boards that say "Open Defecation Free Village", such places will even have vigilante groups to enforce this law.

[sankoz]

It is a big health/hygiene problem. If you happen to be in fairly large train stations in India in the mornings, you can see cleaning staff spreading bleaching powder on the tracks to cover up the mess.

[lostlogin]

The moment people realise the white stuff on the tracks is toilet paper is a special moment of disgust.

[gpvos]

Many Dutch trains too, including fairly recent ones. Definitely far more than 10%.

[zem]

hence the popular ditty "passengers will please refrain" [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humoresques_(Dvo%C5%99%C3%A1k)...]