CSR activity brings toilets, water tanks for pilgrims

Several establishments, under their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity, have started providing toilet blocks made of steel, bio-toilets and water storage tanks for pilgrims coming to Nashik and Trimbakeshwar for the Kumbh Mela. As many as 20 bio-toilets will be sent to locations as requested by the administration. 

"Around 75 of the requisitioned 250 steel toilet blocks, which have been painted blue, have arrived in Trimbakeshwar. These will be installed at various places in the town and maintained by the contractual staff appointed for the purpose," a senior deputy collector said. 

Jindal Steel will be providing the 250 steel toilet blocks to be used in Trimbakeshwar. The other heavy-duty toilet blocks will be used in the rural areas after the Kumbh is over. 

"The toilet blocks are stationary, but can be moved out as and when required. Once the important parvani days are over, some of the blocks will be shifted to the nearby villages if needed," the official said. 

The 20 bio-toilets are being supplied by Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, which will also take care of the maintenance. The suppliers have procured the bio-toilets through contributions from donors. Costing around one lakh rupees each, the bio-toilets last long and constitute the most eco-friendly way to treat waste. The idea of bio-toilets was conceived, designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. 

The official said the bio-toilets will also be shifted to places where they are required after the Kumbh. Most of the bio-toilets will be kept at tourist spots. 

The water storage tanks are being supplied by five banks. "Around 40 of these water tanks have a 20,000 litre capacity each while 20 tanks have a capacity of 5,000 litres. The administration had received such tanks during the summer of 2014 from local business houses and they were installed in villages facing a shortage of water. The tanks now raised in the city and Trimbakeshwar will also be shifted to deserving places after the Shahi Parvani days," the official said.

-The Times of India