Mains GS3: GS3-15.Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life.
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.
