The Mysuru chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has constructed a first-of-its-kind toilet complex atop the Chamundi Hill, which is the first green building of ‘public convenience’ to be certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), at a cost of nearly Rs 1 crore to match the standards of international airports.
The complex, which also includes a drinking water dispensing kiosk with a reverse osmosis purifier with chiller, with a capacity to dispense 200 litres per hour, will be opened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the launch of Dasara on October 1.
Similar facilities will be set up by the CII at the Mysuru Zoo, Karanji Lake, Mysuru Palace and the proposed Tourism Plaza coming up on the Exhibition Grounds. CII-Mysuru chairman N Muthukumar, addressing media persons at the almost complete structure atop the hill, near the Chamundeshwari temple said, “It was a small contribution of the CII to Mysuru towards retaining the cleanest city tag, which it has won thrice in the past one year.”
Nirmala Saulabhya
“While Automotive Axles and Meritor India have funded the facility, named ‘Nirmala Saulabhya’, the district administration and the temple management committee have been a source of inspiration. Designed by renowned urban designer G K Sudheendra of ‘Place Called Tomorrow’, the facility is carbon and water positive with a water treatment plant, solar power plant and rainwater harvesting system,” Muthukumar said.
“Solar power generated from the 5KW rooftop solar power unit is connected to the power grid. The power tariff to the Cesc will be paid from the revenue earned from the power supplied to the grid, making it a net-zero energy building. A sewage treatment plant has been erected to enable recycling of 70% of the water, 10,000 litres per day. The building does not need artificial light during daytime due to its design,” said the CII-Mysuru chairman.
Muthukumar said, “When Mysuru bagged the cleanest city tag for the first time, we decided to do something for Mysuru. When this was brought to the notice of then Deputy Commissioner, C Shikha, she advised us to construct a public toilet at tourist places. The new facility has 15 urinal points and nine toilets for men and 17 toilets for women, besides a separate toilet facility for physically challenged persons, which they can directly access on wheel chairs. A couple of the toilets are western style to help senior citizens. The complex includes a child care facility too.”
He added, As per the MoU with the government, the CII will maintain the complex for first five years, with at least seven employees. “A nominal fee of Rs 2 to Rs 4 will be charged per person for using the facility. Constructing a building is easy, but its maintenance is difficult. Our objective is to partner with the government in making Mysuru the first tourist-friendly destination in India,” he said.
Muthukumar said, “The earlier toilet complex of the government, on the slopes of the hill, has not been demolished, but the new building has been constructed over it, using pillars to bring it to the level of the temple. The government can take a call on demolishing the old structure.”
Published 21 September 2016, 18:54 IST