The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning the construction of a two-storeyed community toilet with 111 stalls, also known as a Suvidha Centre, in Dharavi. Around 80 per cent of the region’s residents rely entirely on community toilets.
In addition to being one of the largest community toilets in Mumbai, the Suvidha Centre will also have modern laundry facilities with detergent, a dedicated bathing area, and a water ATM. The civic body is expected to spend ₹9 crores on this project.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner of the G North ward, Kiran Dighavkar mentioned that this facility will also contain a greywater treatment facility to provide water that can be used for non-potable purposes.
“In Dharavi, there was a large vacant land available for sewerage operation (SO) pumping station. We requested for some land off the same where the Suvidha Center will come up. It will be a boon for the local residents as we expect that at least 5,000 persons in the area will benefit from it,” Dighavkar added.
The civic body will reportedly undertake this project in an area spanning 2,600 sq metres. The construction is being conducted along with Hindustan Unilever as part of the BMC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project. Officials added that this Suvidha Centre will open by October 2.
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The newly constructed community toilet will consist of 100 flushing toilets for women, men, and children along with toilets designed for the physically challenged.
Officials said that it will be designed and constructed with safety in mind by providing separate entrances for men and women. Moreover, some number of toilets will remain open throughout the night so as to reduce the risk of violence or clashes that is usually observed in slum toilets due to the lack of vacant stalls.
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The Suvidha Centre’s laundry facilities with detergent will help residents of the community save energy, money, as well as time. Officials add that clothes will be almost 60 per cent dry after the wash. This service will be offered at a cost, though it will be lower than the market price, officials said.
As for the water ATM, residents can get water for use in toilets at ₹1 per litre while a family of five can pay ₹150 per month for the same service. Meanwhile, children will have free access to the toilets.
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