The Uttar Pradesh government will set up incinerators for disposal of sanitary napkins in 300 government inter colleges for women in the State as part of its Rs. 60-crore toilet block project in colleges in 73 districts.
Though the State government has put on priority improving toilets in all government schools, particularly those for women, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav liked the unique idea of having a toilet block each in women’s colleges equipped with an incinerator and a water purifier-cum-cooler as suggested by Sulabh International.
“The Chief Minister was very impressed with the toilet complex model presented by the Sulabh International. He particularly liked the idea of incinerators that would promote sanitation among students, while water purifier-cum-coolers will provide safe drinking water,” said a senior Education Department official.
Cabinet approval“The project was immediately given the Cabinet approval. Within a year, these toilet blocks will be constructed in 300 schools across the State benefiting at least four lakh girl students.
Sulabh International will construct and maintain the toilet blocks,” the official explained.
Sulabh’s U.P. chief Avinash Kumar said each block with 10 toilets would cost just under Rs. 20 lakh, while Rs.15,000 would be spent a month on its maintenance.
Sulabh’s founder, Bindeshwar Pathak, said he planned to install incinerators in all public and other toilet complexes that his organisation was running across the country.
“We are also in talks with other girls’ schools and colleges to provide similar facilities,” Dr. Pathak said.
