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.