Bio-toilets to be installed at Moirang Lamkhai

By Thomas Ngangom

IMPHAL | Jan 11

Municipal administration, housing and urban development (MAHUD) director N. Gitkumar Singh said mobile bio-toilets are becoming public convenience and five more toilets are going to be installed at Moirang Lamkhai at the earliest.

Gitkumar told IFP that to ease inconvenience of public especially during Imphal evening, nine mobile bio-toilets had been installed on January 5.

According to press information bureau reports of December 2, 2016 it is said that more than 49,000 bio-toilets have been installed by Indian Railways in passenger coaches till October 31, 2016. There are more than 900 trains with bio-toilets.

The installation in Imphal city will bring a clean city free from human excreta. Before the installation of these toilets public uses to clean themselves at open places like behind trees or at some isolated places.

During the inauguration of bio-toilets in the city MAHUD minister, Shyamkumar said the mobile toilets have been installed to ease inconveniences of the general public, including those who come to enjoy the Imphal Evening.

Altogether 9 mobile bio-toilets (3 pair each) costing Rs 79,305.44 each (inclusive GST and transportation charges) have been installed along the road stretch from Raj Bhavan to Khuyathong.

The minister gave assurance that more mobile bio toilets will be installed at various strategic locations in the state. He also stressed that the mobile bio-toilets will not pollute the Kangla moat. One can use the toilet by spending Rs. 10 per usage, he added.

Gitkumar, further said the technology of the mobile bio-toilets have been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and imported from Belgaum, Karnataka, where it has been developed.

The portable septic tank (bio tank) attached to the toilet has a capacity of 700 litres while the attached overhead water reservoir has a capacity of 200 litres which can be refilled. He maintained that it will not pollute the environment.

He said with the success of bio-toilet local clubs have started approaching the department for installation at their localities. The next steps for installation of bio-toilet will be on the remaining municipal councils of the state. For installation the municipal councils have to pay forty percent and sixty percent will paid by the state, he added.

According to IMC officials, from January 6 to January 10 IMC collected Rs.700 at an average. Reports said two employees of IMC each man three toilets by shifting three batches regarding the water problem and putting DRDO bio-culture powder. A one dose of powder will put in the septic tank for seven consecutive days just after the installation and will be followed by one dose per month.

The process of the powder which contains specially developed bacteria will convert human waste into odourless liquid, which can be removed using a special machine, IMC officials added.

Officials also said the toilet will be free from sewage connection and after bio-degradation clean and odourless liquid will come out through outlet which is installed on left side of the tank.