Report: Construction of 50 nos. of model ECOSAN toilets for the women SHG members in Sethubavachatram and Peravurani Blocks of Tanjore District, Tamilnadu

The successful functioning of 20 nos. of model ECOSAN toilets constructed in Vathalikadu and Kalanivasal villages during 2009-10 under PWX funding has resulted in the expansion of 50 nos. of ECOSAN toilets in the surrounding villages.

The funding was received only on 15th March 2011. Siince there was Assembly elections and Model code of conduct was in action, meetings involving women SHGs could not be conducted till 18th May 2011. The project was actively taken up from 20th May 2011.

Immediately after the initial sequence of awareness meetings, the women SHG members were taken up for an exposure visit to the existing ECOSAN toilet. 50 women participated. We have received 60 nos of applications for the ECOSAN toilets from the participants.

In the application it was proposed to construct 50 nos of ECOSAN toilets. But during the period of 8 months from the date of application, the cost price of important raw materials like cement, river sand, bricks has increased manifold. Also the mason wages has doubled and hence with the available budget it would be possible to construct 42 nos. only. The revised budget is attached herewith.

We are unable to get the contribution amount from the DRDA for the 20 nos of toilets that were constructed during the previous year with the funding through PWX. The DRDA officials have informed that they will consider only the conventional toilets with septic tank. However, we are trying to convince them about the importance and the advantages of ECOSAN toilets over the conventional toilets.

Earlier for each toilet we have made a compact ECOSAN pan with platform which has 2 separate pans. This caused great risks for transporting. Now, we have made two separate pans for each toilet. Thus it is very easy to transport the pans from Pondicherry to the project site at Tanjore district.