Sulabh Public Toilet & Bath and Health Centre in India

SULABH MOVEMENT RESTORING HUMAN RIGHTS

Eminent industrialist Bharat Ratna late Shri J.R.D. Tata speaking at the Inauguration Ceremony of a Sulabh public toilet and bath complex, near Dhobi Talao, Bombay. On his right is ex-Sheriff of Bombay, Mr. Nana Chudasama, and on his left, Mrs. Bakul Patel, ex-Sheriff of Bombay.

The year 1974 is a landmark in the history of sanitation when the system of operating and maintaining community toilets with bathing, laundry and urinal facilities (popularly known as Sulabh Shauchalaya Complex) with attendant's service round the clock was initiated on the pay-and-use system with people's participation without any burden on public exchequer or local authorities in Patna. The most neglected state of public Shauchalayas makes people find alternative places for defecation. Sulabh complexes have been welcomed both by the people and the authorities due to their cleanliness and good management.

The Sulabh toilet complex funded by ITC, Bombay

These complexes have electricity and 24 hours water supply and soap powder is supplied free to users for washing hands. The complexes have separate enclosures for men and women. The users are charged nominal sum for using Shauchalayas and baths. Use of urinal facility is free. Children, disabled persons and those who cannot afford to pay are allowed to use the facility free of charge. Sulabh is operating and maintaining more than 6,000 community complexes in some 1100 towns and cities in 29 states and 3 Union Territories of India. One such complex is in Bhutan. These Shauchalayas have also improved the living environment. The facilities of special Shauchalayas, combined with bath having shower facility, cloak-rooms, telephone and primary healthcare have also been provided in some of the Sulabh complexes.

Former Prime Minister Late Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, with Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, visited a Sulabh stall in Lucknow (UP) on March 4, 1989

Sulabh is already operating and maintaining about 100 Shauchalaya complexes at important railway stations. Observing the efficiency and cost effective methodology of Sulabh International in the field of sanitation, the Indian Railways are seriously considering handing over maintenance of lavatories and compartments in important running trains, cleaning of platforms, operation and maintenance of lavatories in waiting rooms progressively to Sulabh. Bombay Port Trust has asked Sulabh to construct and maintain toilet blocks in the dock area. Also complete cleaning work for the Paradeep Port (Orissa) is being looked after by Sulabh. Various coalfields have entered into agreements with Sulabh for construction, operation and maintenance of Complexes and construction of Sulabh Shauchalaya in individual houses. The Bihar Government has entrusted the maintenance of Shauchalayas, wards and the campus of Patna hospital to the organisation.

Studies reveal that over 50 infections can be transmitted from a diseased person to a healthy one by various direct or indirect routes from human excreta. A large number of deaths in India are from diarrhoeal diseases. The impact of safe disposal of human excreta on health has been significant in reducing morbidity and mortality from gastro-enteric diseases and helminthic infections. Out of 950 million people, 700 million either defecate in the open or use insanitary bucket or dry privies exposing the entire community to health hazards and foul environment. The number of bucket and dry privies in India is about 76.4 lakhs, of which nearly 54 lakhs are in urban India.

A Sulabh toilets, bath complex at Shirdi, Maharastra
(India)  at an estimated cost of about Rs. 2 crore