The Hindu 16.02.2011
Coimbatore Corporation to let out more mobile toilets
Toilets used during the World Classical Tamil Conference in Coimbatore. -Photo:K.Ananthan
Every time the Coimbatore Corporation receives a call from another local
body in the State, it knows a request for hiring its mobile toilets is
coming.
There is a huge demand for the 60 toilets the
corporation purchased for around Rs. 4 crore to cater to the city’s
visitors during the World Classical Tamil Conference last year. Sources
in the corporation say the toilets have “travelled” to Thanjavur,
Tiruvannamalai, Udhagamandalam, and a few other places.
The civic body has five types of toilets—big and small,
and Indian and Western—to be used at places where people gather in large
numbers. The corporation felt the need for an easier and a safer mode
of transport while transporting toilets, as the existing vehicles did
not fit the bill. Hence it has decided to go in for 20 trailers and two
lorries to transport the toilets. A resolution has been passed,
sanctioning the purchase of a lorry at Rs. 21.30 lakh. Another such
proposal is in the offing.
To let 20 toilets
According to sources, only 20 toilets are to be rented out. The rest will be placed in 40 locations identified for this.
The civic body also passed a resolution fixing the hire
amount for big toilets at Rs. 1,000 a day, and Rs. 500 for the smaller
ones and those made for women. Sources also add that a proposal for
attaching a septic tank to the toilets is on the cards. At present, an
outlet from the toilet is connected to the nearest underground drainage
opening or let in to a pit dug exclusively for the purpose.