SDMC plans upgrade of toilets for better Swachh ranking

NEW DELHI: The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has planned to upgrade 200 public toilets (PTs) with the aim to achieve Open Defecation Free (ODF++) ranking in Swachh Survekshan 2021. The authorities have made a list of 162 toilet complexes on main roads, market areas and near public places which will get other additional facilities. Based on the operation and maintenance of public toilets, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has classified the public toilets in five categories. These include unusable, useable but dirty, clean, very clean, excellent and aspirational.

An official said that toilets that fall in the aspirational category include greenery around the complex, sanitary vending machines, incinerators or other disposal facilities, paper napkins, multiple bins, soap dispensers, a feedback system and functional floodlights around the complex ensuring safety. The spaces for advertising should be properly defined and encroachments should not be allowed around the toilet complex.

SDMC has also appointed a nodal officer for daily inspection of toilets. Rajiv Jain, Nodal Officer, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, said that the authorities are putting extra efforts for cleanliness and maintenance of these toilets which are open for public from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. SDMC has a total of 590 toilet complexes in its jurisdiction.