To draw lessons from the experience of RSMs and PCs operating in various states, and to formulate sustainable and replicable designs for the future, UNICEF commissioned “TARU Leading Rural Sanitary Marts and Production Centres – An Evaluation. This paper presents the results of an evaluation study of Rural Sanitary Marts (RSMs) and Production Centres (PCs) in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal in 1999. UNICEF had supported the RSM and PC initiative in these states since 1991. The key issue that was analysed by the study was the ability of RSMs and PCs to promote affordable toilets in rural areas in a financially sustainable manner.
The case study titled “Rural Sanitary Marts: Developing a sustainable alternate delivery mechanism for sanitation in West Bengal” has been written Alok Kumar and Sumita Ganguly in India Infrastructure Report, published in 2007 by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). It presents that the Rural Sanitary Mart (RSM) typically rural production centres and retail outlets that manufacture and market low-cost hardware and provide services was rapidly expanded and becomes sustainable over a period of time in West Bengal.
Discussion Guest Moderator: A. K. Singh, Sulabh International, New Delhi
Posted 20 June 2007
I am pleased to be invited to seek the help of the Water Community for my chosen task. At the Visioning Workshop of the Water Community in March 2007, I volunteered to act as a "convener" for engaging the Community in addressing this important topic. This e-discussion continues the conversations on the topic from the workshop towards a possible action group assignment for the Community on Strategies for Scaling up Rural Sanitation Coverage.
From Ajit Saxena, UNDP, New Delhi
Posted 26 April 2007
While working as an engineer in the water and sanitation (watsan) projects in Madhya Pradesh, I have seen that successful implementation of watsan programmes depends on balanced use of both software and hardware components. Thus, in addition to successful behaviour change communications, hardware support for implementation of watsan programmes is crucial. This ideally includes low cost construction material such as toilet pans, pit covers, squatting plates, drains, and material for superstructure.
Individual Health and hygiene is largely dependent on adequate availability of drinking water and proper sanitation. There is, therefore, a direct relationship between water, sanitation and health. Consumption of unsafe drinking water, improper disposal of human excreta, improper environmental sanitation and lack of personal and food hygiene have been major causes of many diseases in developing countries. India is no exception to this. Prevailing High Infant Mortality Rate is also largely attributed to poor sanitation.
“Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC)”, details have been made available on the website of Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). The course focuses on various technology options for Household Sanitation. The study presents overall success and lessons learnt while implementing TSC in different districts of India and these lessons will definitely be helpful to pave the way for successful implementation of TSC in different rural perspectives among different communities and locations.