About Public Restrooms in Indian Cities: Why It Is Essential to Look for Quality, Not Quantity

Much has been said about sanitation challenges of rural India. However, it is also crucial to discuss another aspect – the public sanitation infrastructure in Indian cities and other places of significance.

 

A well-developed public sanitation system is a matter of national prestige. It is one of the parameters to measure a country’s socio-economic progress. A robust system reflects people’s awareness level with regard to hygiene and sanitation. However, India is yet to make a significant breakthrough in this space. Here are a few scenarios to give you an idea about the BIG picture.

 

Disclaimer: The stories follow incidents from the lives of real people. Names have been changed on request to protect their identity.

 

 

Scenario #1

: Sarita, a woman in her early thirties, has to commute for more than two hours daily to reach the college where she is a lecturer. She switches conveyance three times, boarding a train first, then a bus and ultimately taking an autorickshaw that drops her at her college gate. In between, there are sprints between the railway station to the bus stand, long waits in queues, and more. Nowhere on the route does she find a proper, clean and safe restroom that can be used in case of an emergency. Sometimes, she braves the stench and filth to use the public toilet in the bus terminus. If it’s late evening, she doesn’t brave going to the public toilets, as the unmanned and deserted toilet complexes are neither well-lit, nor have security cameras out of concern for her personal safety. The outcome? Urinary tract infection, absence from work, depression and a substantial medical expense.

 

 

Scenario #2:

Sharbani from Kolkata went on a trip to a hill station in North East India. While visiting a famous viewpoint, she went to use the restroom in the complex. To her horror, she found that no unit in the complex had a proper locking system. Several people – men and women – were using those semi-open toilets despite the lack of privacy. Disgusted, she came back without relieving herself. Utter discomfort was what followed.

 

 

Scenario #3:

Sunil from Tripura went to visit a famous temple in the deep South along with his full family. By the time, he completed the ‘Darshan’ after standing in the queue for four long hours, the entire family was in desperate need to use a restroom. The stinking, overcrowded toilet complex made them feel sick. Given the huge number of devotees that visit the temple every day, it was hardly surprising that the complex was in such a horrible state. Keeping them clean manually round the clock is undoubtedly a mammoth task.

 

 

With a closer analysis of the three above-mentioned instances, we can actually get an understanding of the gaps present in India’s public sanitation system that call for immediate attention:

  • Inadequate numbers of public toilets
  • Poor quality of those already available
  • Existing toilets being fraught with hygiene issues
  • Lack of maintenance and uniform cleanliness standards
  • Without proper locks and lighting, they are unsafe, especially for women

 

To address all these problems, an ideal sanitation solution must come, complete with these qualities:

  • Easy to keep clean
  • Low-on-maintenance
  • Well supplied with water or equipped with an auto-cleaning feature
  • Secure and equipped with a reliable locking mechanism
  • Well-lit

India needs a one-stop sanitation solution that is sturdy, long-lasting, easy to maintain and keep clean, safe, and user-friendly all at once. Getting all these features in a single solution may seem like a far-fetched dream. Owing to the existing socio-cultural milieu of the country, as well as their inherent constructional shortcomings, traditional toilets cannot make much difference with this respect. This is where urban planners need to take a paradigm shift from the conventional to the innovative. It is time to think scientifically, shift from conventional brick-and-mortar solutions, and embrace innovative, out-of-the-box, and new age offerings.

 

In fact, such modern sanitation solutions are already available in the Indian markets today. One of India’s most trusted brands, Tata Steel has ventured into this space. Nest-In from the house of Tata Steel offers a line of advanced sanitation solutions under the label of Smart EzyNest Toilets. Equipped with automatic pre-flush and post-flush features, it’s easy to keep the unit clean round the clock, with minimal manual intervention. In addition, automatic power-spray cleaning at regular intervals helps maintain interior hygiene at all times.

 

Several optional add-ons are also available based on customer requirements. Solar panels, air-conditioners, audio-visual system, and sanitary napkin vending machine and incinerator, and ad-display facilities are examples of some of the ways, customers can enhance their smart toilet units. In fact, Nest-In has successfully executed projects for several smart cities and CSR projects, including Ahmedabad Smart City, Nestle, Mercedes Benz and Solapur Smart City.

 

Providing cities with hygienic public toilets is vital to ensure the health and convenience of commuters, tourists and hundreds and thousands of people who need to spend long hours outdoors for professional and personal reasons. It is high time that we embrace a solution that looks smart and acts smart – a fitting intelligent solution for a smarter, better tomorrow.

Posted in EzyNest, MobiNest on Jan 25, 2021.


Add comment    


Contact us

Trending Articles

About Public Restrooms in Indian Cities: Why It Is Essential to Look for Quality, Not Quantity

Design Freedom With LGSF: Unlocking Architectural Possibilities

Design your own Studio Space with Nest-In's Nestudio

Importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Worker's Safety

Little Known Facts About Smart Toilets in India - And Why They Matter

World Water Day: Global Water Facts

5 Advantages That Will Make You Choose Prefabricated Solutions

A Complete Guide to Prefabricated Villa & it's construction

Accidents at Construction Sites – Causes and How to Prevent Them

The Luxury Quotient Of Prefab Homes

A Modular Toilet's role in protecting your health

Environmental Benefits of Portable Sanitation

How Manufactured Homes Differ From Mobile and Modular Homes

Modular Buildings in The Time of Covid-19 -A Feasible Construction Solution

5 Key Benefits of Modular Offices

What is the Future of Charging Stations in India

Faster, Stronger, Greener: Accelerating Construction Timelines With LGSF

Everything You Need to Know About Transportable Cabins

A Guide to Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Why Modular Construction Is a Better Option for Building Restaurant/Café

Public Toilets in India – Current Situation and What Can be Done About It

Prefab Homes – Perfect Housing Solution in the Hilly Areas

Smart Toilet - 5 Reasons Portable Toilets are Necessary for Outdoor Events

Getting the Right Design for Small Modular Homes

How Modular Conference Rooms Can Be Used to Create Private Meeting Spaces?

5 Benefits of Prefabricated Construction

Importance of Hygienic Sanitation Facilities for The General Public

Portable Cabins Provides free-spirited Individuals a life of Adventure and Freedom

Are Prefabricated Farm Houses a Good Choice?

Building your House without Bricks? Take a Look at the New Construction Solutions Emerging in India

4  Key Considerations When Building a New Modular Home

Prefab Revolution: Shaping Sustainable Communities And Smart Cities

Smart Washroom Technology – A Truly Scalable Solution

Common Modular Building Construction Materials

How to Solve Your Space Needs with Innovative Office Solutions

5 things you must know about modular prefab construction

Container Homes Have Arrived and Are Here to Stay

How Modular House Construction Influences the Construction Industry

5 Reasons To Choose Portable Cabins

The Chronicles of Onion

Prefabricated Structures – A Practical Solution for Rooftop Gym

Make Zero Mistakes while Building Your Prefab Home

The Tourism Sector and the Prefab Construction Method Make an Awesome Duo: 5 Reasons Why

The Harmful Effects Of Construction Waste On The Environment And What We Can Do About It

Why Portable Cabins are in High Demand

Light Gauge Steel Frame Construction

Fire Resistance Benefits of Light Gauge Steel Frame

How do Barricades Ensure Safety of the Workers?

How can steel improve sustainability in construction?

Why are PUF Panel Growing Rapidly?

What is WASH Program & How Does it Help Children?

Mobile Toilets- The Need of the Hour in India

How is Light Gauge Steel Frame Construction done? Let's take a look at how HabiNest is used by Various industries

How to Increase Floor Space in Your Modular Home

Benefits of Solar Panel Parking

How Does Modular Construction Reduce Material Waste?

How Tata Steel Nest-In Helps Create Educational Infrastructure At A Faster Pace

Staying Comfortably In Nature's Lap With Prefab Farmhouses

World Toilet Day and Where India Stands in Clean Sanitation

LGSF A Green Technology Solution for Speedy Construction

What is International Day for disaster risk reduction?

Smart Toilets contributing towards a sustainable and safer living in India

Benefits of Modular Buildings for Disaster Relief

Modular Construction as a Post COVID-19 Design Alternative

Why Is Offsite Construction the Best Choice for India’s Smart City Projects?

The importance of sanitation goes beyond infrastructure

Re-Imagine Better EV Charging Infrastructure With Tata Steel Nest-In’s ChargeNest

5 Reasons Why Portable Office Cabins are the Best Prefab Solution for Businesses

Benefits of Modular Construction during Labour Shortages

A Revolution In The Making: Growing Popularity Of LGSF In India

Guide to Portable Cabin and Variation in Design?

Transportable Homes vs. Relocatable Homes: What's the Difference?

Using Prefab For Growing Space Requirements Of Your Family - Nest-In's Nestudio Rooftop Home Extension Solution

Using Innovative Construction Technologies For Sustainable And Resilient Infrastructure

Why is Prefab a Great New-age Construction Option?

Resilient Structures: Creating Structure Durability with LGSF

A Revolution In The Making: Growing Popularity Of LGSF In India

World Day for Safety at Work: Tips for a Safe Workplace

Prefab Toilets: A Sustainable Solution to Hygienic Public Sanitation

Sustainable Infrastructure in India: Growing Need for Prefab Construction for EV Charging

Modular Cottages - A Flexible Housing Solution for All

The History of Modular Buildings & Modular Construction

How Prefabricated Construction Helps Address Sustainable Living And Environmental Issues

The Myths of Modular Construction

Ultimate Guide To Prefabricated Construction Techniques.

Urbanisation And LGSF: Meeting The Needs Of Growing Cities

Prefab Mountain Home -What to Consider Before Building it?

What Is Light Gauge Steel Frame Structures in Construction?

Modular Toilet Is the Answer To Your Office Restrooms

What is the life cycle assessment of a solution?

Prefabricated Housing is the Solution of the New Crisis Era

What Are the Differences Between Stick Built and Modular Homes?

Why Should There Be Portable Rest Shelters for Construction Workers

The Structural Integrity Of Prefab Homes

Modular Construction in Healthcare - The Future of Design

Prefabrication in Developing Countries

What Does Modular Home Addition Process Look Like?

Prefab Construction - A Boon Or Bane For The Environment

Sustainable Homes - The New Generation of Prefab

Nestudio: Transforming the Concept of Premium Living

The Modular Construction Evolution of The Hospitality Industry

Top 4 Applications of Modular Buildings

Role of Prefabricated Steel Buildings in Commercial Constructions

Why Are Container Homes So Popular?

Why Portable Cabins are a Must-have for Construction Business?

Portable Cabins can be an Immediate Solution during Crisis Situations

Modular Home Designs with a Modern Flair

Modular Construction in Education: Portable Classrooms and Permanent Buildings

Why are eco-friendly prefab homes a better alternative

Can prefabricated construction increase safety for labourers?

All you need to know about Prefabricated Farmhouses

Types of Modular Buildings in India

Vision for a Greener India: Can Modular Construction Solutions Replace Brick and Mortar?

Women's Empowerment Through Sanitation in Rural India

The New Green Approach for Living

Why are Offsite Modular Homes gaining popularity in the Urban sectors of India ?

Various Applications of Nestudio that make it a Versatile Living Space

Why have an Environment Friendly modular home

Why is LGSF Construction Better in Rapid Construction?

Reasons Why LGSF Structures Last Longer

Prefab Commercial Spaces: A New Perspective to Architecture

Benefits of Smart Modular Toilets

Travel In Style: The Rise Of Prefabricated Tourist Accommodations In India

Modular Homes and Waste Management

An Innovative and Reliable Option for Smart Housing

Building Hope: Effective Disaster Management With Prefab Houses

World Environment Day – Significance of Modular Construction in Saving the Environment

Exploring The Resilience Of Light Gauge Steel Framing Construction In Challenging Geographies

Building Modular Hospitals And Clinics In Remote Locations With Nest-In

Reimagining Construction: The Rise Of Light Gauge Steel Frames

Exploring LGSF Applications In High-Rise Buildings: Going Vertical With Steel Frames

Innovations And Advancements In LGSF Technology

Concept to Completion: Glamping Resort Construction in Uttarakhand

A Comprehensive Comparison of RCC and LGSF Construction Methods

Why Prefab Construction Is Greener Than RCC Construction

Why Prefab Construction Is Faster Than RCC Construction

Constructing Resilient Futures Through Nest-In's Sustainable Prefab Infrastructure

From Foundation to Finish: RCC Vs. Modular Construction

How Nest-In's Prefab Technology Leads to Better Energy Savings

Nest-In's Plug and Play Solutions Usher In a New Era of Sustainable Construction

How Nest-In's ChargeNest Is Integral to the Adoption of EVs in India

Aligning with UN SDG #12: Nest-In's Approach to Sustainable Development

How Prefab Construction Technology Helps In Responsible Use Of Resources

Building the Future: Understanding the Diverse World of Prefab Construction Technology

How Nest-In Aligns with SDG #6: Ensure Availability and Sustainable Management of Water and Sanitation for All

Progress Towards a Smarter Modular Future with Nest-In

Constructing Worker Housing in Noamundi with Prefab Technology