After transportation, it is sanitation on the top priority for the Delhi Government. The Arvind Kejriwal dispensation is now planning to involve public participation for designing public toilets through a contest.
The winner will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and will be attached with the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) for a six-month period to work for the project on monthly remuneration of Rs 25,000. The Aam Aadmi Party Government has initiated the process to set up 10,000 toilets in the slum clusters of the national Capital.
“The DUSIB has sought designs from firms and individuals for innovative toilets and decided to pay a reward of Rs 50,000 to the first winner and Rs 25,000 to the second one. The intended firms and individuals have been asked to submit their proposals along with detailed architectural drawings, including specifications and financial parameters to the DUSIB by 3 pm till June 15,” said officials of the Delhi Government on the condition of anonymity.
As per public notice issued by DUSIB, design must focus on robustness against vandalism and rough use, including identification of low cost solutions for finishes and fitting and fixtures. The designs should demonstrate innovations include efficient use of water, ventilation and daylight utilisation, ease of maintaining hygiene and cleanliness, adequate prevention against storm water and effective surface drainage.
“Architectural concepts on modular design for construction of 30/40-seater toilet complexes in two categories of permanent and semi-permanent/pre-fabricated structures are hereby called from individuals, organisations, agencies for providing toilet facilities in slum & JJ Bastis in Delhi,” it said.
The Government’s decision for setting up toilets comes in the wake of reports that more than 675 slum clusters in the city had been facing a serious problem of open defecation.
It has now sought architectural concepts on modular designs for construction of 35 to 40 seat toilet complexes in two categories of permanent and semi-permanent pre-fabricated structures.
A senior DUSIB officer said that those interested in the design competition should send a detailed proposal on method for waste disposal by use of septic tanks or other innovations, including prevention of back-flow due to external flooding.
He said that the design should also focus on robustness against vandalism and rough use, including identification of low cost solutions for finishes, fittings and fixtures.
Among other conditions, the proposed toilets should have a separate provision for men and women. The toilet complex should be user-friendly not only for persons with disabilities but also children, pregnant women and senior citizens.
According to an estimate, there are 17,000 community toilets across the 700-odd slums in the city, where 3.14 lakh jhuggis are home to almost 15 lakh residents. Another 21,000 community toilets will be required to make Delhi open defecation free.
DUSIB estimates show there are about 79,000 individual toilets attached to jhuggis. That means only 25 per cent. The Aam Aadmi Party Government, which is drawing up an open defecation-free plan for the Capital, has set out a steep target of building 10,000 toilets in the current fiscal and meet the remaining requirement of 11,000 toilets by March 2018.