Ongole to get two more eToilets

The civic body decides to increase their number following overwhelming response from public to the existing ones

Ongole: After receiving overwhelming response to the two eToilets introduced in the town, the Ongole Municipal Corporation is introducing two more eToilets on Tuesday.

The civic body introduced two eToilets last week in Ongole at the new and old vegetable market areas. The eToilets are pre-fabricated modular public toilets made of stainless steel. These unmanned and automated cleaning system toilets feature self-cleaning mechanism with pre flush and post flush, automatic platform cleaning and LED indicators.

These are equipped with GPRS-enabled remote monitoring system and online tracking of entry and usage of every user. The eToilets are programmed to turn on the lights and fan when a user enters, flush 1.5 litres of water after the first three minutes and 4.5 litres after a little longer and clean the floor after every ten users.

Explaining the features of the eToilet, Dr Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman and Managing Director of the Trivendrum-based Eram Scientific Solutions said, “The eToilets do away with all the challenges posed by conventional toilets. Conventional public toilets are often in pitiable conditions due to lack of proper maintenance and cleaning. Since eToilets are unmanned and are routinely auto-cleaned and self-flushed, there is no worry about hygiene. The launch of eToilets in Ongole would demonstrate the suitability of such innovative and intelligent public sanitation facilities. We thank all the authorities of Ongole Municipal Corporation.”

The civic officials found that the eToilets are receiving tremendous response from the public. They say that with the response of about 400 people using these toilets daily, they have decided to introduce two more eToilets at Kothapatnam bus stand area and Chimakurthy Eye Hospital area on Kurnool road.

Sankranthi Venkata Krishna, Commissioner for Ongole Municipal Corporation said, “We are surprised at the overwhelming response from the general public in using the eToilets. These four eToilets cost about Rs 5.5 lakh, almost on par with the conventional toilets in the cost. But these are ecological and environmental, in which the waste is also treated inorganically. All sections of the general public including vendors, hawkers and women have found the eToilets useful. More than 400 people are using the two toilets on a daily basis. Though these could be operated with coins, we have made it free for the public to use them.”