Solar-Powered And Self Sustainable, These Are The Toilets India Needs In Metro Cities

New Delhi: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has triggered a whole lot of novel programmes and innovations, even in the private sector, which aims to improve the country’s sanitation scenario. One such innovation addressing public sanitation is an e-Toilet – a sleek steel cubicle equipped with a multitude of electronics to help it function as an automated, solar-powered and self-cleaning toilet. Developed by a Thiruvananthapuram-based social enterprise Eram Scientific, which won Swacchathon 1.0 Award in the Public Sanitation Space, e-Toilets are public toilets where once the user inserts a coin, the door opens, the light is switched on, and the person is even directed with audio commands. They are programmed to flush 1.5 litres of water after three minutes of usage or 4.5 litres if usage is longer. It can also be programmed to clean the platform with a complete wash down after every 5 or 10 persons use the toilet.

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Essentially, this innovative toilet, which cost around 14 lakh a unit and have been installed in over 2500 locations across 22 states in the country, incorporates full cycle approach in sustainable sanitation by integrating convergence of electronics, mechanical, web-mobile technologies thereby controlling entry, usage, cleaning, exit, and remote monitoring capabilities.

The company has installed e-Toilets in a number of cities in collaboration with the government bodies. In Navi Mumbai, the company tied up with Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and with Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation in Thane area.

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The highlights such as unmanned, self-cleaning features, auto pre-flush and post-flush mechanisms, solar panels to power the toilet, remote monitoring of the toilet condition through web and mobile app and the eToilet locator app are unique for e-Toilet. The floor of the toilet also gets automatically washed after every 5-10 uses.

The government should focus on adoption of new technologies and innovation on the sanitation sector along with creation of awareness. When we introduced the concept of e-Toilet, we had to face two issues – collection of waste water and its treatment. Now days, thousands of toilets are being constructed, but maintenance still remains the major problem, Dr Siddeek Ahmed, Managing Director, Eram Scientific Solutions, said while speaking to NDTV.

Another feature of “eToilet” mobile app which can be downloaded from Google Play store include locating the nearest e-Toilets via map and address listings, understanding the mode of operations and information on facilities etc. It can be utilized by the authorities to ensure accountability and transparency of operations.

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The toilet also comes equipped with a QR code enabled instant feedback system. Once the user scans the QR code (placed both inside and outside the toilet) via his mobile phone, he is directed to a portal where the user can provide suggestions and remarks on the hygiene and cleanliness of that particular e-Toilet.

The user can also post photos as their feedback through the portal. Since the feedback mechanism is e-enabled and instant, the public can share their feedback with minimum time and effort.

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Since a majority of people don’t use public or community toilets due to its unhygienic conditions, these solar-powered and self-cleaning e-Toilets, offering sustainable approach to public sanitation, are the kind of toilets India need in cities. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is not done with just building toilets; proper maintenance of these toilets is the key to ensure an open defecation free India.