Nellore schools to have highest number of eToilets in India

Nellore in Andhra Pradesh will soon become the first district in the country with the highest number of school eToilets, thanks to Kerala-based Eram Scientific Solutions, the sole manufacturers of these electronic toilets.

Eram is deploying these automated, self-cleaning and unmanned eToilets in 316 schools in Nellore as part of the CSR initiatives of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in the wake of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.

Siddeek Ahmed, CMD - Eram & ITL Group of Companies, said this is e-enabling the Swachh Bharat scheme with the latest technology and "we are happy that TCS has come forward to build such an innovative sanitation model for the country".

The model called e-Lite14 eToilet for schools has automated self-cleaning and washing mechanisms and automatic floor wash system, automatic ceiling light, exhaust fan, in-built sensors to conserve electricity and water and has an overhead water tank.

The base of eToilet is made of stainless steel. Ample natural lighting and ventilation, and manual systems are provided so as to enable functioning even without power.

It works on either solar or electric grid and has a price tag of Rs.1 lakh, including a year's free warranty and insurance coverage.

"Swachh Bharat has to provide more room for innovation and should embrace change rather than continuing with the decade-old practices of brick and mortar structures. We are thinking beyond merely building toilet structures and see sanitation in a more holistic way." said Anvar Sadath, CEO of Eram Scientific.

The deployment will be completed by July 2015.

Eram Scientific has deployed more than 650 eToilets in 15 states in India and have received over 35 national and international awards for the innovative intervention in sanitation.

Eram is closely working with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, California Institute of Technology, Duke University, and University of South Florida for developing next generation sanitation solutions.

Beyond school eToilets, the largest deployment of public eToilets is currently happening in Chennai Corporation with more than 100 eToilets and in Bangalore with 75 plus eToilets.

The company has developed a diverse range of eToilets for various user segments such as the eToilet, general model for public, disabled friendly model and She Toilet with sanitary napkin vending machine with an incinerator.