Everything from taxis to laundry and now toilets can be ordered via a smartphone, in Bengalore.
Now citizens can find the nearest electronically controlled self-cleaning toilets or e-toilet through an app, which was launched by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Wednesday. Through the app, available on Android and iOS, users can locate an e-toilet and give feedback over its functioning.
The civic body also announced the installation of 75 e-toilets, with plans to install another hundred in the coming months, said Mayor B.N. Manjunath Reddy, during Wednesday’s launch which was attended by BBMP Commissioner G. Kumar Naik, councillors and private partner Eram Scientific CEO Anvar Sadath K. If a user finds a toilet faulty or not well-maintained, they can take a photograph and use the app to send it the authorities, who have a different app and software that will allow them to monitor the e-toilets using water usage, etc. They can also receive complaints raised by citizens via the app.
“These toilets have helped in the sanitation programme,” said Mr Reddy. The toilets have been installed across Bengaluru including Electronics City, Basavanagudi and BTM Layout. The basic cost of each unit is Rs. 5.6 lakh, excluding taxes and installation charges. These revolutionary portable toilets can also be rented out by portaloo hire companies for public events and private parties.
Sensors for self cleaning
An e-toilet is an electronic public toilet with control sensors to detect motion and warmth.
“When a person enters the toilet after dropping a coin, the sensors detect the change in temperature and switches on the lights,” explains Sreekumar, marketing manager at Eram Scientific, which was commissioned by the BBMP 10 months ago to install the toilets in Bengaluru.
When a person leaves the unit, the toilet cleans itself. These smarter bathrooms are not only more hygienic, but so much easier to manage than your normal toilet.
A voiceover in Kannada or English explains the toilet’s functioning. After five uses, the toilet floor also cleans itself with the help of sensors.
As many as 11 service engineers and three service persons will maintain the toilets in the city. Speaking to The Hindu, Sarfaraz Khan, BBMP Joint Commissioner (Health), said that the project would be maintained for two years by the service provider.
However, BBMP officials will follow complaints raised by citizens through the app to keep track of maintenance. “If the company does not intervene, we will take action,” he added.
Disposal of sanitary waste
The toilets commissioned by the BBMP are called ‘he toilets’ by their manufacturer. For good reason too. They have no special provisions for incinerators for disposing sanitary napkins. At present, the BBMP has installed eToilets common for men and women. Of the 75 installed, 62 are operating at present, said said S. Somashekara, Chief Engineer (Projects).”We are planning to install toilets for women soon, with incinerators and napkin facilities. We will be floating tenders for the same,” he said, adding that the existing services were well maintained.
The toilet can be used by dropping a Re. 1 coin in the slot. However, coins of other denominations are also accepted.
How it works
* A person drops a coin (can be Re. 1, 2 or 5) inside the slot to open the toilet door.
* When they enter, the control sensor senses change in temperature, and activates the lights and fan
* A voiceover explains how the toilet works in Kannada or English
* The user presses the flush button after using the toilet, but it can also flush on its own
* The floor is automatically washed.