Need technology to solve sanitation, solid waste issues: Pathak

Legendary inventor and founder of the internationally acclaimed Sulabh International, Bindeshwar Pathak, said that new technologies are the need of the hour to deal with issues of sanitation and solid waste management in India.

“First we have to decide about technology because 2.3 billion people have no access to water. Today, the number of Tier I cities is 498. They have sewage treatment capacity of 11,553.68 MLD which is just 32% of total sewage generation. And the number is even more troubling in Tier II cities,” Pathak said.

Speaking at the two-day thematic seminar on "Water and Sanitation" in Pune, he dwelt on his invention of the two-pit pour flush toilet system which is now being further developed and promoted by the government.

He explained its various benefits in view of the diverse nature and high density of population in India.

This was the 7th thematic seminar in the series as a lead-up event to the 3rd Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) which is being hosted by India in the last week of June 2018 in Mumbai.

“Water is a State subject in India, which comes in the way of comprehensive national planning and programme in this sector. It was suggested that a fresh look on the subject may be necessary to effectively address issues of watershed management and regulation,” a press release stated.