Community toilets get a makeover

Retrofitting project by Gramalaya repairs 195 facilities built in slums

The second phase of NGO Gramalaya’s project to renovate community toilets (CTs) built in low-income neighbourhoods in four zones of Tiruchi across 65 wards is nearing completion, bringing relief to many economically backward families. Along with 95 CTs refurbished in the first phase last year, the project has taken on 100 more in the second round, from March 2021.

There are 432 public and community toilets in Tiruchi, of which 380 are CTs, located in 185 declared slums of Tiruchi City Corporation. Gramalaya’s project is confined to 195 CTs, which include integrated sanitary complexes with a bath and laundry area, besides toilets.

“We are retrofitting toilets that were built in 2000, so there is lot of work involved, from changing the toilet pans and re-tiling the floors, to fixing new doors and installing sanitary napkin incinerators and laundry rooms. The project will be ready for handover in March,” M. Ilangovan, Executive Director, Gramalaya, told The Hindu.