iddipet has achieved the gigantic task of ensuring a toilet for every household and is all set to become the first constituency in the State to be declared ‘Open Defecation Free (ODF)’. The constituency is having 64,733 houses and every household is having a toilet now. Last month alone saw the construction of 5,531 toilets making sure that all were completed by Thursday. Siddipet will be announced as ‘Open Defecation Free (ODF) constituency on Friday on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao, who had earlier adopted Ibrahimpur village, took the construction of toilets as special drive and moved the entire administration in that direction for the past one month. The constituency covers Siddipet municipality, Siddipet, Chinnakodur and Nanganoor mandals.
Wherever the terrain is rocky like in Ibrahimnagar, digging a pit for the toilet became a herculean task, therefore, bio-digester toilets are being constructed here by using aerated bricks which do not need any cement or sand for construction. Bio enzyme digester would be released into these structures once the use of these toilets begins. The water that is let out from these toilets would be used for gardening and other purposes.
Jiddi Ballavva and P. Anita residents of Gangireddula colony in the constituency head quarters appear relieved as they do not have to go in the open for the early morning ritual. “We had to face many problems. First of all we should either go before the sunrise or after the sunset. Safety was a big issue. Going out in the dark is not safe for young women, moreover the pathways are dangerous in the night as there are snakes and other poisonous creatures. This apart we have to wait for hours if there are people in the vicinity,” Ms. Balavva told The Hindu. “I am very relieved now as I do not have to face these problems anymore, she adds as other community members agree with her.
Same was the experience of Dandla Mallamma and Sanigala Indramma who are also in their sixties and using the toilets for the first time in their life.
Going out in the dark is not safe for young women and pathways are dangerous with snakes
Balavva
