60 hi-tech community toilets for women to come up in Bidar district of Karnataka

A model hi-tech community toilet unit exclusively for women set up at Chatnalli village in Bidar taluk in Karnataka.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

To provide safe and hygienic sanitation access for those without individual household toilets in rural areas, the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) is set to establish hi-tech community toilets exclusively for women in 60 villages across Bidar district. One such model hi-tech toilet has been built at Chatnalli village in Bidar taluk.

Each community toilet unit comprises 11 washrooms — 10 Indian-style and one Western-style toilets — the latter designated for individuals with disabilities. The government of Karnataka has allocated ₹25 lakh for constructing each hi-tech community toilet unit. 

The district has approved 60 such hi-tech women’s community toilets — 16 units in Bhalki taluk, 13 in Basavakalyan, 10 in Bidar taluk, 7 in Kamalanagar, 6 in Humnabad, 4 in Chitguppa, and 2 each at Aurad and Hulsur taluks, said Dr. Girish Badole, Chief Executive Officer of Bidar zilla panchayat .

This modern and scientifically designed women’s community toilet features a waste conversion system for fertiliser production. It is equipped with a water supply and electricity facility. An inverter system has been installed to ensure the safe and convenient use of toilets even at night.

The hi-tech toilet unit has got two wash basins. Two laundry platforms have been constructed outside the toilet for washing clothes.

The toilet spans 600 square feet in a prime location, relatively safer and easily reachable by women. The unit will soon be handed over to the gram panchayat and thrown open for public use, said Abhishek Pola, In-charge Engineer at KRIDL.

Community public toilets in rural areas can directly help reduce risks of snakebite deaths and drowning. Citing an example of a recent death of a girl at Mannalli village due to snakebite, Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer Kiran Patil said the risk of encountering snakes or drowning can be decreased by promoting better sanitation and discouraging open defecation. In addition, such sanitation facilities can improve hygiene and health. “The community toilets in rural areas often fail to be used effectively due to lack of water facilities, but the hi-tech community toilets will have adequate water supply through connections drawn under Jal Jeevan Mission,” Mr. Patil added.

Besides establishing hi-tech community toilets, the zilla panchayat is organising awareness about the importance of using community toilets among villagers through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, says IEC coordinator Satyajeet Nidodakar.

People in rural areas are showing interest in constructing individual toilet facilities under Swachh Bharat Mission. As of now, the zilla panchayat has received 9,412 applications for individual toilets, of which 6,778 got approved while the rest are under process, he said.