Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Jul 11: In a definite step towards making Mangaluru a more hygienic city, the first-ever e-toilets in Dakshina Kannada district were inaugurated by MLA J R Lobo and mayor Kavita Sanil on Tuesday July 11 at the city bus stand in Lalbagh here. The e-toilets have been donated by HPCL.

Addressing the gathering after the inauguration, MLA J R Lobo said, "I congratulate the MCC administration on taking such an initiative. E-toilets were introduced in Bengaluru five years ago and the administration received positive response from the public. Now with the help of HPCL, Mangaluru has also got e-toilets. We live in a smart world, so these types of advanced public utility systems are much required for the city. No doubt it will help the people."

Mayor Kavita Sanil said, "With the label of Smart City for Mangaluru, now everything is getting smarter with adoption of advanced technology. E-toilets are a sign of this advancement. This facility is very useful to the public. The operation is also very simple and moreover, it is hygienic and eco-friendly. I thankful HPCL for partnering with us in constructing these e-toilets.

"For now, we have installed these e-toilets in five major points in the city. In future, we plan to install more e-toilets with the help of the corporates," she added.

Deputy mayor Rajaneesh, former mayor Shashidhar Hegde, corporators Asha D'Silva, Sabitha Misquith, Appi, MCC commissioner Mohammed Nazeer and others were present.

The e-toilets, made of stainless steel and mounted on concrete bases, have been installed at five places in the city. Two of these toilets, one for men and the other for women, have been stationed at Lalbagh bus stand. Two more are at Kadri Park, and another one at Hampankatta. Such e-toilets are already functioning at cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru apart from several centres in Kerala.

Each of these toilets cost Rs 6.25 lac, and have been built under the sponsorship of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd under the corporate social responsibility fund. As these toilets are portable, they can be easily shifted elsewhere depending on the need. The toilets have GPS connection and hence in case of any problems, the central office of the company get information, after which engineers will be dispatched to attend to the problem. The toilets can be operated by placing coins in the slots provided and the mechanism is equipped with the capacity to identify fake coins. Automatic flushing is provided and the people have the facility to wash their hands outside.

Each of these toilets are provided with tanks that can hold water up to 300 litres. After ten persons use the toilet, the toilet automatically gets cleaned. The toilet uses 1.5 litres of water if people use it for up to three minutes, and 4.5 litres if the time taken is over three minutes.

More such toilets are planned to be set up near PVS Circle, Pumpwell, university college, Nanthur, Kadri Market, fish market near State Bank, and Forum Mall. Before stationing more e-toilets in the city, the city corporation wants to study the response of the people and their experience with the ones currently installed.