Human waste disposal is an ever-growing problem of not only the city but the entire country. Human waste disposal in the open poses problems like threat of several infectious diseases in epidemic proportions due to contamination of ground water and drinking water resources. The problem aggravates at the times of fairs and festivals in the holy city.
The untreated waste may cause several diseases like dysentery, diarrhoea, amoebiasis, viral hepatitis, cholera, typhoid and other diseases.
As a measure towards cleanliness and health, construction of bio-digester toilets in the twin cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh has been undertaken by Global Interfaith WASH alliance in conjunction with BHEl Haridwar. Three clusters of toilets were made open for public on Tuesday at Vishnu ghat, Gau ghat and Rishikul maidan.
Notably BHEl had signed memoranda of understanding with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Agastya International Foundation for these two projects. As part of its corporate social responsibility, BHEl has funded the construction of toilets and FICCI has monitored the construct part.
“A total of 25 clusters of toilets are proposed for the mela zone of which 22 clusters shall be made ready to use by the end of March,” said FICCI director Nirankar Saxena. Media spokesperson and AGM of BHEl Rajeev Bhatnagar said, “Each cluster of toilets has 11 units for males and females and the four clusters made at prime locations as guided by the mela administration are ready. These are at CCR tower near Har Ki Pauri, Rain basera in Pantdweep, Vishnu Ghat, two sides of Rishikul grounds facing ganga and railway station. The whole project is estimated at 4 crores 65 lakhs with 1 crore for drinking water facility.”
Speaking to The Pioneer, founder of WASH Alliance Chidanand Muni said, “As part of clean, serene and green Haridwar this measure has been taken by Global WASH alliance.
People can feel the cleanliness during the ongoing mela and the problem of open defecation has almost been countered by these bio digestor toilets.”
The other eminent locations for the installation of toilets include char dham bus stand Rishikesh, GGIC college Rishikesh, Pantdweep parking, railway station Rishikesh which are proposed to be operative before the main snan of Ardh Kumbh on Baisakhi fest in April.
The bio digestor toilet works on the principle of bacterial inoculation in the human waste which eats up the waste leaving only water and gas. This waste water can be used for irrigation purposes.