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Public Health / Sanitation

Mayor inaugurates new toilets

Monday, 16 August 2010 05:17 administrator
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The Hindu       16.08.2010

Mayor inaugurates new toilets

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Delhi Mayor Pritihvi Raj Sawhney inaugurated two eco-friendly toilets boasting innovative technologies at Nigambodh Ghat and near Kudsia Park in Kashmere Gate on a pilot basis this past week.

These bio-toilets and electronic toilets would not only substantially save water, energy and space but are aesthetically more appealing as well.

The civic body plans to set up more such units near the Commonwealth Games venues, high footfall areas and areas of tourist importance after examining all aspects including feasibility.

According to Mr. Sawhney, the bio-toilet introduced at Nigam Bodh Ghat parking area is based on a technology developed and approved by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence.

“In these bio-toilets, the faecal matter and sludge is decomposed in a pit using DRDO developed bacteria which converts the said waste matter into methane and water. The toilet is maintenance-free and requires minimum water. Both the units have been put up on experimental basis and installed free of cost by the agencies concerned,” he added.

The Mayor informed that the electronic one would be made into a pay-and-use toilet targeting the section of population which can afford to pay but demand better quality toilets.

The electronic ladies toilet has an automatic payment collection system and the user will have to put a Rs.5 coin into a slot to open the door.

Last Updated on Monday, 16 August 2010 05:18
 

PMC to start central kitchen for hygienic mid-day meals

Friday, 13 August 2010 11:39 administrator
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The Times of india  13.08.2010

PMC to start central kitchen for hygienic mid-day meals

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) school board is planning to start a central kitchen system to ensure good-quality and hygienic food, to be supplied in air-tight boxes to avoid contamination, as mid-day meals to children studying in municipal schools.

The move follows last month's incident, where over 70 students of a municipal school in Bopodi had taken ill due to food poisoning after eating a mid-day meal served to them.

Speaking to TOI on Tuesday, PMC school board chairpersonSangeeta Tiwari said that they will soon begin the process of inviting bids from women's self-help groups (SHGs), which are financially sound and can thus follow all the requirements of supplying hygienic food. "The entire system of supplying mid-day meals will be monitored by a committee, chaired by the municipal commissioner." The committee is also expected to have on board two nutritionists, who will ensure balanced food for the children.

Tiwari said that use of proper machinery and utensils will be mandatory in the central kitchen system, where the cooks will have to strictly follow guidelines about maintaining hygiene.

She also said that one central kitchen will not suffice for the 300 schools that the PMC provides mid-day meals to. "We have suggested that there be at least eight to 10 kitchens." Incidentally, last year, the state government had issued guidelines to the municipal corporation about having a central kitchen system to ensure that food is prepared in a hygienic manner.

While it will take time to implement the new scheme, the school board is taking steps to ensure that the incident at the Bopodi school does not recur elsewhere. "We have formed special squads to ensure that the food supplied by the women's SHGs in the present arrangement is cooked in a hygienic manner. Around eight women's SHGs were dismissed since they were not following the guidelines issued by the school board."

In the present arrangement, there are a total of 163 women's SHGs which supply "khichdi, dal or curry" to the 300 schools. Tiwari said the school board spends Rs 3.5 crore for the mid-day meal scheme, which benefits over 87,000 students from Standard I to VII.

Last Updated on Friday, 13 August 2010 11:40
 

Garbage disposal gets ugly

Friday, 13 August 2010 07:51 administrator
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The New Indian Express  13.08.2010

Garbage disposal gets ugly

BANGALORE: Kacharakanahalli ward is represented by JD(S) leader Padmanabha Reddy in the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Council. Generally, BBMP wards represented by prominent politicians are expected to have less civic problems. However, Kacharakanahalli presents a picture of poor hygiene and neglect by the authorities concerned.

If you enter the ward from Ramaswamy Palya, a cement bin filled with garbage greets you at the traffic signal junction on Kacharakanahalli Main Road. The garbage bin, which has to be placed on the road side or street corner, is lying on the middle of the road for months.

“No effort has been made to shift the garbage-filled bin from the junction.

It is nauseating to see garbage on the middle of the road. I think there is a shortage of pourakarmikas. It would be a great help for residents and commuters if the garbage is cleared on time. We want the councillor take necessary steps to solve the problem,” said Sudarshan, a two-wheeler owner.

While, the overgrown weeds at vacant sites, which have become breeding places for mosquitoes, pose a danger to the residents at Ramdev Garden.

Open drains are choked with either debris or garbage.

“It has become difficult for us to sleep properly at night due to mosquito menace. No BBMP employee visits our area to clear garbage on a regular basis,” rues M Devika, a housewife.

There is nothing to revel about the condition of HBR Layout Main Road even though it was asphalted a few months ago.

Two-wheeler riders are facing a lot of problems due to slush near Renu Arcade. While potholes near Zuari Cement outlet pose a danger to both motorists and commuters, who use the road at night. “I have already urged the BBMP authorities to clean up the mud and slush from the road. I also request them to clear the silt from open drain to facilitate smooth flow of rain water,” said a shop-owner on condition of anonymity.

When contacted, Jayashankara Reddy, Executive Engineer, said that he had prepared a list of the roads that need immediate attention.

“I will submit the list to the Chief Engineer for further action. I think that pothole problem will be solved in a few weeks,” he added.

However, Padmanabha Reddy, Corporator, was not available for comment.

Last Updated on Friday, 13 August 2010 07:56
 
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