CB Ahmednagar: Upgradation of old public toilets into new Sulabh Suvidha Kendras

After ban on dry type of latrines in 1993, Ahmednagar Cantonment Board had constructed water closet public toilets with septic tanks at eight places for the general public. The public toilets were isolated structures where there was no water facilities at each W.C. compartment and there was one common tank placed outside the structure which was being used by public and thus proper cleaning was not done. Also there was no full time care taker to look after the public toilets and causing open defecation due to poor condition and lack of facilities available in public toilets.

From year 2016, Ahmednagar Cantonment Board has decided to convert all these old public toilets phase wise with new design of Sulabh Suvidha Kendras with bio-digester septic tanks design developed by DRDO for safe disposal of sewage. Accordingly the Board have constructed five number of Sulabh Suvidha Kendras where water, light facility available in each W.C. compartment and also one service provider (care taker) engaged through outsourcing for regular cleaning of sulabh suvidha kendras. Proper signage, ventilation, cleanliness and safe disposal of sewage ensured in all these Sulabh Suvidha Kendras and this office has given better facilities for residents which resulted to eradicate the open defecation in Ahmednagar Cantonment area and therefore Board has achieved ODF & ODF+ status in Swachh Survekshan carried out by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. As a result Board has secured 4th rank in Swachh Sunrekashan in 2Ol9 & 7th & sth in Swachh Survekshan-2O22 & Swachh Survekshan-2O23 respectively and awarded in category Fastest Mover’ Cantonment No. 3 in Swachh Survekshan-2022.

Impact Assessment: As result of upgradation of old public toilets into new Sulabh Suvidha Kendras, Board was successful to eradicate open defecation and to achieve ODF+ status.