Mumbai: Vacuum toilets on the move at Girgaum Chowpatty

The vehicle will be moved across Girgaum Chowpatty so that the toilets can be stationed at different spots throughout the day

Two toilets mounted on a Force Cargo vehicle and operated through a vacuum system will be stationed at the Girgaum Chowpatty for the next six months, as part of a CSR project between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and a private organisation.

The toilets, which will save about 90 per cent water compared to general ones, will be available free of cost for visitors on a pilot basis.

Two drivers will man the vehicle 24x7 and keep moving it across the chowpatty area throughout the day, so that the toilets can be stationed at different spots.

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Civic officials said each flush will use about a quarter of a litre of water. Therefore, for 100 flushes, 200 litres of water would be used. In general toilets, 200 litres of water is used for 20 flushes (10 litres for each flush). Hence, the vacuum toilets will save 90 per cent of the water usually used in the general ones.

The officials further said that the vacuum system is powered by solar energy, hence making it all the more eco-friendly. As part of the CSR project, the private firm has provided the toilets to the corporation free of cost for the next six months.

200litres
Amount of water the toilets will use per 100 flushes