Inauguration Ceremony Model Containment Site-Bijnor

Date: December 29, 2021
Venue: Palika Garage,  Numaish ground, Bijnor
Chief Guest: Mr Manoj Kumar Singh (Executive Officer, Bijnor) & Mr Shamshad Ansari (Acting Chairman, Bijnor)

The challenge with respect to sanitation infrastructure is not unknown in India. 40 percent of Indian population having toilets is connected to sewerage networks, while another 58% connected to Onsite Sanitation System (OSS). Hence it is essential for one to follow a correct design and technique that can restrict transmission of pathogens to environment while constructing an OSS.

Urban water team of Centre for Science and Environment has been giving the handholding support through their Technical Support Unit (TSU) to Bijnor Nagar Palika Parishad (BNPP) since 2018 in implementing City Sanitation Plan (CSP) and Faecal Sludge and Septage Management (FSSM) in Bijnor city. In January 2020 TSU Bijnor along with BNPP conducted a three day Training Programme on Designing and Construction of OSS for masons in Bijnor (https://www.cseindia.org/training-on-construction-and-designing-of-onsite-sanitation-systems-for-masons-in-bijnor-9856). Skills acquired in the training by masons were applied on the ground as a hands on practice in construction of an OSS in Bijnor Nagar Palika Garage. On the third day of training, the construction of an improved toilet having one side connection with twin pits containment and another side connection with septic tank along with a soak pit was completed by masons under the guidance of trainers. This site is now rejuvenated by BNPP with the help of technical support from CSE-TSU to develop it into a Model containment site in vision using it as a sensitizing centre for local masons, civil contractors, planners, architects and practitioners.

On 29 December, 2021 this model containment site was officially inaugurated in the presence of Mr Manoj Kumar Singh, Executive officer, BNPP and Mr Shamshad Ansari, Acting Chairman, BNPP. All the masons who got trained while construction of the site were officially invited for the inauguration ceremony. Sanitation workers of BNPP and private desludgers who are involved in emptying of septic tanks and pits in the city also came for the inauguration ceremony. These sanitation workers are involved in monitoring of designs of the containments therefore exposing them to correct design would in turn help in promoting the correct construction technique and design in the city. The site is now officially open for visit of local public from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.