Dignity by Design: Innovation in India’s Public Toilets

Why in the News?

• Cities are adopting innovative designs and technologies to make Community and Public Toilets (CT/PTs) more accessible, safe, clean and inclusive.
• The Toilets 2.0 initiative under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) was launched in 2022 to improve the quality and user experience of public toilets.

Key Highlights

• Swachh Bharat Mission: Launched on 2 October 2014.
• Cities progressed from ODF towards ODF+ and ODF++.
• SBM Toilet Locator: Available through the Swachhata App to help citizens locate nearby toilets.
• Innovations highlighted include:
  • Scrap bus converted into women’s toilet
  • Recycled plastic used in toilet construction
  • Smart and sensor-based public toilets
  • Scientific sanitary-waste disposal
  • Inclusive toilets for women, transgender persons, children and persons with disabilities

Sthree Toilet, Bengaluru

• Located at Majestic bus terminal, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Established using a scrap bus and exclusively serves women.
• Facilities:
  • 3 Indian-style + 2 Western-style commodes
  • Sanitary napkin vending machine
  • Incinerator
  • Breastfeeding and diaper-changing space
  • Solar-powered sensor lights
• Waste is connected to the nearest sewage chamber.

Aspirational Toilets, Navi Mumbai

• Developed by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) at Sector 14, Koparkhairane.
• Used by approximately 8,000-9,000 visitors daily.
• Construction incorporates:
  • 426 sq m recycled plastic sheeting
  • 5.3 tonnes single-use plastic
  • 11,700 plastic bottles
  • 35,200 bottle caps
  • 85 reused computer keyboards
  • 284 kg scrap metal
• Follows the principle of 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
• Includes facilities for:
  • Women and men
  • Children
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Baby care
  • Sanitary-pad vending
• Fountain uses treated sewage water.

Freshrooms, Bhopal

• Located at 10 Number Market, Bhopal.
• Developed by Bhopal Municipal Corporation.
• Operates under Design-Build-Operate-Transfer (DBOT) model through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
• Smart Lounge covers 800-1,000 sq ft.
• Serves around 500-1,000 visitors daily.
• Features:
  • Sensor-based toilets
  • Touch-free urinals
  • Hot and cold showers
  • Lockers
  • Wi-Fi
  • Café and vending machines
  • Baby-changing rooms
  • Digital information wall
• Separate accessible facilities for men, women and persons with disabilities.

Sanitary Waste Management, Karad

• Karad, Satara district, Maharashtra, has achieved 100% segregation, collection and processing of sanitary and biomedical waste.
• Collects around 300-350 kg sanitary waste daily.
• Red bins are provided in public toilets for sanitary waste.
• Schools use sanitary-pad vending machines and disposal systems.
• Separate bins in garbage collection vehicles ensure sanitary waste is handled separately.
• Karad Municipal Council (KMC) partnered with Karad Hospital Association.
• Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility (CBWTF):
  • Capacity: 600 kg/day
  • Incinerator temperature: up to 1,200°C
  • Emissions monitored in real time
  • Linked with the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) system.
• PPP model reduces the financial burden on the municipal council.

Inclusive Toilets, Tirupati

• Tirupati Municipal Corporation has developed modern toilet complexes for pilgrims, tourists and residents.
• Pink Toilet Complex:
  • Located near the bus station.
  • Serves 12,000-15,000 users daily.
  • Includes Indian and Western toilets, mother-care facilities, changing rooms, incinerators and sanitary-pad vending machines.
• Common Public Toilet Complex near railway station:
  • Serves 20,000-25,000 devotees daily.
  • Facilities for men, women, transgender persons, Divyaang persons and children.
  • Includes ramps, handrails, child-friendly fixtures and bathing rooms.

Prelims Quick Revision

• SBM launched: 2 October 2014.
• Toilets 2.0: Launched under SBM-U in 2022.
• Sthree Toilet: Scrap bus converted into women’s toilet at Majestic, Bengaluru.
• Navi Mumbai: Toilet constructed using recycled materials including 5.3 tonnes of single-use plastic.
• Bhopal Freshrooms: Uses DBOT + PPP model.
• Karad: 600 kg/day CBWTF, incinerator temperature up to 1,200°C.
• Tirupati Pink Toilet: Serves 12,000-15,000 users daily.
• Tirupati’s Common Public Toilet provides dedicated facilities for transgender persons and Divyaang persons.

UPSC Prelims Trap

• Toilets 2.0 is an initiative under SBM-U, not SBM-Grameen.
• ODF, ODF+ and ODF++ represent different levels of sanitation outcomes and should not be treated as interchangeable.
• DBOT is the operational model highlighted for Bhopal’s Freshrooms, while PPP describes the broader partnership framework.
• Karad’s CBWTF is for treatment of sanitary and biomedical waste; it is not simply a conventional municipal solid-waste processing facility.