ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Mobile toilets mounted on electric auto-rickshaws have been developed in India for the exclusive use of women.

Hyderabad-based innovator Sushma Kallempudi came up with the idea to help address a chronic shortage of well-maintained ladies' washrooms in India. The individual-use cubicles are aimed at large gatherings because they are compact in size and can easily be driven through crowded areas, claims Kallempudi.

The units can be parked anywhere to offer washroom provision wherever it is needed. Each toilet accommodates a washbasin, a clothes hanger and a mirror plus a flush system and holding capacity of 100 litres. The waste may be disposed of at any fuel station, according to Kallempudi.

"We are also planning to install GPS tracking devices, sanitary napkin dispensers, baby changing stations and power-charging sockets in these vehicles," she adds.

Kallempudi's husband Sudheer runs an electric vehicle manufacturing business and is helping to build the units, which are mounted on the chassis of electric auto-rickshaws.

While Hyderabad has plenty of public toilets, their lack of maintenance deters many women from using them. All of Kallempudi's vehicles are operated and maintained by women for added privacy and security.

"This initiative will also help provide more employment opportunities for women," she adds.