Bhubaneswar: Project Samman, with 44 specially designed toilet complexes across the city with 264 toilet seats, will transform the sanitation scenario in the city.
As part of the Smart City Projects under Project Samman, 17 community toilets have been built in the city’s major slums under phase I. Respective Ward Sanitation Committees (WSCs) have been assigned to operate, maintain and supervise the community toilets.
These committees play a significant role in creating awareness among fellow slum-dwellers to stop open defecation and make use of these specially designed toilets. Similarly, 27 public toilets have also been built under the first phase, on strategic locations adjoining major streets, bus stops and busy junctions.
Notably, nine community toilet complexes with 54 seats under Project Samman, are also in the pipeline.
As per Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) sources, 2.5 lakh users have used the Project Samman facilities till March 31. Interestingly, 6,000 differently-abled persons have also used the toilets.
The special features of the project include: Child-Friendly toilets, safety features added for use of children. Care has been taken to provide universal accessibility features in a large number of shared toilets. Sufficient number of toilet seats were designed for universal access. A designated stall at the front of each toilet has been introduced for differently-abled, pregnant and elderly women. Ramps have been created at all public toilets constructed under Project Sammaan.
Gender segregated sections in the toilets for men and women, with separate entries have been ensured keeping in view privacy aspects and dignity for all.
Electrical menstrual waste incinerators have been placed in the women’s area of the toilets. This would encourage women to properly dispose of waste and to help prevent clogging up of toilets.
The civic body has collaborated with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the Jameel Poverty Action Lab Quicksand Design Studio and a few other organizations for the ambitious project.
The primary objective of Project Sammaan was to instill a sense of dignity while addressing issues affecting healthy sanitation practices in the slums and other major public places in the city.
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