In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Uttar Pradesh government has okayed setting up of incinerators for disposal of sanitary napkins in 300 government inter colleges for girls. This will form part of the ambitious toilet block project coming up at a cost of Rs.60 crore in the colleges in 73 districts.
Though the State government had put on priority improving toilets in all government schools, particularly those for girls, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav liked the unique idea of having a toilet block in girls colleges equipped with incinerators and water purifier-cum-cooler that was suggested by Delhi-based NGO 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-cooler will provide safe drinking water. 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 be constructing and maintaining the toilet blocks,” said a senior Education department official.
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Giving details of the project, Sulabh’s State head Avinash Kumar said each block with 10 toilets would cost just under Rs.20 lakh, while Rs.15,000 per month would be spent on its maintenance. Sulabh Founder Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak said he plans to put incinerators in all public and other toilet complexes that his organisation was running across India to address the problem of disposing off of sanitary napkins.“We are also in talks with other girls’ schools and colleges to provide similar facilities ,” Dr. Pathak added.
The toilet blocks to be constructed in 300 schools will benefit at least four lakh girls