Visitors to 20 busy spots across Delhi, including markets, metro stations and hospitals, will no longer have to search for toilets, with new public toilet complexes being inaugurated on Wednesday.
Users won’t have to hold their breath when they step into the “Namma toilets”, which have been painted with a special coating that prevents bacterial growth and odour.
With four toilet seats and urinals apiece, the complexes were constructed at a cost of Rs.13 lakh each by the National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) Ltd. as a CSR initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
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The NBCC, which is a public sector undertaking of the Union Urban Development Ministry, will construct 10 more “Namma toilets” in Delhi.
The design, that includes natural ventilation and solar panels, was first used in Tamil Nadu and Delhi has become the second State to put it to use.
The fittings used are resistant to vandalism and tampering, and the corners and edges inside the toilets rounded to stop dirt from collecting.
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The toilets are also accessible to the differently-abled. The modular design allows for expansion of the complex when needed.
Inaugurating one of the facilities at a market in Preet Vihar, Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said: “It is endearing to see the public sector actively participate in the Mission. I am confident that with more such active community contributions, we will soon be successful in achieving a Swachh Bharat.”
Praveen Prakash, the Joint Secretary in the Union Development Ministry and the director of the Swachh Bharat Mission, added that the toilets are environment-friendly as they save water and convert human excreta into bio-gas, compost and fertiliser.
The water used for flushing is treated on-site and recycled back into the system. The toilets have a capacity to cater to 300 to 400 people per day.
Besides Preet Vihar in East Delhi, the toilets have been set up in Veer Savarkar Hospital, Swami Dayanand Hospital, DDA Market in Mayur Vihar Phase-II, Anand Vihar, Loni Road petrol pump, Seelampur metro station, C-12 block in Yamuna Vihar and New Jaffrabad.
In South Delhi, the toilets have been made near Uphaar Cinema, near DTC Depot Kalu Sarai, Munirka DDA flats, near Fortis Hospital, near Nehru Place metro station and Nehru Place district centre.
In North Delhi, the “Namma toilets” have been constructed near Samaypur Badli metro station, G.T. Road Azadpur, Nangloi metro station, Faseel Road and Old Tonga stand railway parcel centre on S.P.M. Marg.
All 20 facilities were inaugurated on Wednesday, some by local municipal authorities. Meanwhile, Mr. Naidu said the Swachh Bharat Mission will be used the bridge the shortfall of 4,000 public toilets in areas under the three municipalities.
The South Delhi Municipal Corporation needs 5,318 more toilet seats, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation needs 3,311 and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation needs 2,508.
The design includes natural ventilation, solar panels and vandalism-resistant fittings