Rapid urbanisation often brings challenges in providing basic sanitation services, particularly in low-income communities. The Indian city of Pimpri Chinchwad has developed an innovative community-based model that improves sanitation access while empowering local women.
Pimpri Chinchwad is a major industrial hub that attracts a large number of migrant workers. Many of these workers live in densely populated low-income neighbourhoods where sanitation facilities have historically been inadequate, posing both environmental and public health risks.
To address this challenge, the municipality constructed 160 community toilets across the city. During the planning phase, extensive consultations were held with residents to better understand local needs.
Local women expressed strong interest in participating in the operation and maintenance of the facilities. In response, the municipality formed women’s groups responsible for the daily management of the community toilets.
The city provides these groups with training in sanitation management and pays a monthly allowance to cover cleaning materials and maintenance costs. This arrangement not only ensures high sanitation standards but also creates stable income opportunities for women.
Currently, more than 400 women participate in the initiative, managing 40 community toilets with 862 toilet units that serve over 30,000 users daily.
Encouraged by the programme’s success, the municipality plans to expand the model to more than 120 additional community toilets, potentially engaging over 1,200 women and tripling the number of beneficiaries.
Beyond sanitation, the city also aims to involve women’s groups in future initiatives such as sustainable solid waste management and community monitoring systems.
Pimpri Chinchwad’s experience demonstrates how inclusive governance and community participation can transform basic urban services.
This initiative was shortlisted for the 2020 Guangzhou Award. Learn more about global urban innovation through the Guangzhou Award:
https://www.guangzhouaward.org
