All Delhi slums to have toilets, sanitation plan

An advisory panel to devise sanitation strategy in slums has been constituted

As announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day speech to provide toilet facilities in cities, villages and slums, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board ( DUSIB) has decided to provide toilet facilities to all slum- dwellers in all localities and slums in the national capital. The board has planned the slum sanitation strategy for cleanliness and for providing toilet facilities to slum dwellers in the national capital.

“The board has planned to provide sanitation facilities as well as upgrading the existing toilets and providing new toilets with the modern facilities in the slum clusters. It is the mandate of the DUSIB to rehabilitate slum the dwellers, and providing toilets facilities in jhuggijhopri clusters. The finance minister has also announced for providing toilets in slums and JJ clusters, while presenting the Delhi Budget for the year,” chief executive officer of DUSIB Amar Nath said.

He further said that there are 685 juggi clusters, the land for which is owned by various state and Central government agencies, where Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, DMCs and other government agencies have provided toilet facilities. “The board has taken up community toilets from Municipal Corporations, and is in the process of upgrading them. There are large number of slums where there are no toilet facilities. This year, DUSIB plans to spend about ` 42 crore for creating new toilets and improving existing ones as part of its plan to improve sanitation in JJ clusters. The board has explored newer technologies, and has been using bio- digester based disposal systems in some of its newer toilet blocks or mobile toilet vans,” he added.

An advisory committee to devise sanitation strategy in slums comprising NGOs and experts working in the field of sanitation has been constituted. The committee according to DUSIB will help formulating framework of various strategies to be implemented involving the various stakeholders working in the field of sanitation. This will help the body in roping in CSR components in providing toilet facilities in slum, related products, use of newer sanitation technologies, involving volunteers etc.

DUSIB has also procured of 10- seater trailor mounted Mobile Toilet Vans with DRDO developed biodigester technology on PPP at 67 identified locations. This technology is eco friendly and does not emit any bad odour, consumes less water and only discharge is water which can be used for gardening and other purposes.