The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), which has already introduced 47 bio-urinals in the first phase in different parts of the city, plans to increase the numbers to 1,000 soon.
Also called ‘green’ urinals, these kiosks basically are presented as odourless and waterless, equipped with solar power. “Public urination has been a problem and major inconvenience in the city and given the response to the ones already set up, we will be increasing them to 1,000 across the city in phases,” said the GHMC Special Officer and Commissioner, Somesh Kumar.
Bio-urinals are hygienic and come with proper system to ensure that it does not inconvenience pedestrians, officials with the GHMC said. “A dedicated vehicle also has been deployed to clean these facilities at regular intervals and ensure that cleanliness is maintained,” the official said.
On complaints that these facilities occupy footpath space and cause inconvenience to pedestrians, the Commissioner said care was being taken to ensure that bio-urinals do not occupy “much” of footpath space.
They are being installed in corners and since these being fabricated kiosks, they could be adjusted accordingly where required. “We are identifying places on the road corridors with appropriate space that are suited to locate the bio-urinals and ensure pedestrians are not affected,” Mr. Somesh Kumar said.
On similar facilities not being set up for women, GHMC officials said a separate kiosk design was being prepared and would be installed soon along major road corridors and intersections. The Commissioner said different aspects, including safety, were being worked out and even the feasibility of having a woman deployed at these bio-urinals for women was under consideration.
