Faced with the problem of open defecation in several slums in the city, GVMC is opting for green toilets. The green toilets are developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation.
The two toilets at Manorama Theatre and Chavulamadum, which are operated free of cost, are already in place. To make the units for GVMC, each costs Rs.1.25 lakh. The GVMC has conducted a survey and identified 64 points in all the 72 wards where open defecation is in practice. As of now, GVMC has 300 community toilets. Of them, about 70 to 80 are in a state of disrepair. About 100 to 125 are in a semi-serviceable condition.
“We have to spend around Rs.50,000 to Rs.60,000 on building a community toilet but maintenance is generally poor and proving to be difficult,” says Municipal Commissioner M. V. Satyanarayana.
It is estimated that a total of 50,000 families in the city have no toilets. Sometime back a World Bank project was considered for Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Karimnagar and Tirupati. Besides, there are homeless people who run into a few thousands.
“Now we are considering taking up green toilets in the slums. But lack of funds to take them up on a big scale is the main constraint,” says Mr. Satyanarayana. He says the city is the first in the State to set up green toilets.
GVMC has been trying hard to get corporate support under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It has been seeking the support of GMR for setting up the green toilets. Mr. Satyanarayana says that around Rs.10 crore is required to set up green toilets. The issue will also be put before the District Collector for consideration under CSR.
e-toilets
Besides, GVMC has also installed four pay and use e-toilets. It has purchased them after calling for tenders from a Kerala-based company. Three such toilets are set up at Jagadmaba Junction, Beach Road, and Diamond Park.
