Hyderabad: The Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) has decided to construct community bio-toilets at various locations, especially where there is an increase in population. Board chief executive officer, S.V.R. Chandrashekhar, said, “Community toilets were built at the Ambedkar Huts when the area housed 200 families. Now, the population has increased to over 400 families and the existing toilets are proving to be insufficient. Separate bio-toilets for men and women will be constructed there,” he said.
Bio-toilets, each of which costs nearly Rs 90,000, are eco-friendly. They use a mechanised system to transport the human excretory waste to a digester tank where it is decomposed by specific high-grade bacteria, converted into methane and water, and discharged to the desired surface. Board vice-president J. Ramakrishna said the SCB had taken steps for the laying of a borewell connection to supply the bio-toilets with water. Mr S. Ashok, a resident of the area, said pipelines are being set up at the moment. The toilet would be ready for use once they are connected to the power supply.
According to officials, similar community toilets will also be constructed at the Saibaba Huts in Ward 7, at the dhobi ghat in Ward 3 where 200 dhobis wash clothes, and at 108 Bazaar. Toilets have already been set up in Picket, Bolaram and at the Bowenpally Playground. Ward 6 member K. Pandu Yadav said that all elected representatives had been asked to identify places in need of community toilets; they are in the process of submitting their lists. Officials say that 50 to 60 toilets will be constructed in different places, on the basis of their requirement.
