By Ashraf Padanna/Thiruvananthapuram
A Kerala government agency is setting up electronic toilets for women in 23 locations in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.
‘She-toilets’ is a first-of-its-kind innovation in the country by the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation (KSWDC), which is in charge of the overall development of women in the state.
The initiative is expected to end the health worries of women commuters due to the absence of clean and hygienic toilets in public places.
The women-friendly automatic and unmanned toilets come equipped with stations for changing baby diapers, sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators, along with self-washing and sterilisation functions.
“It is a definite step forward for improving the overall well-being of women who come to work from various parts of the city and outside. The provision of clean and hygienic public amenities will encourage more women to enter the workforce and promote family tourism,” KSWDC chief P Kulsu said in a statement yesterday.
Designed to cater to all the sanitation needs of women, these toilets will be installed in major city centres, tourist locations and places where women gather.
The remote-controlled ‘She-toilets’ using GPRS system dexterously combine electronic and mechanical engineering with information technology. Automatic SMS alerts would be received by the control room in case of emergencies such as exhaustion of water tank or filling-up of the septic tank.
The toilets also have common facilities such as automatic payment collection, automatic door opening, ‘busy’ and ‘free’ display boards and an automatic platform cleaning system. The hi-tech features will help overcome all the human errors that make public comfort stations unhealthy.
M K Muneer, the minister for social justice and civic bodies, will launch ‘She-toilets’ at a function to be held here tomorrow. The project will be rolled out in all districts of the state in phases.