Over the last decade, Pune has grown into a major industrial and educational centre. Due to these rapid developments, people from different parts of Maharashtra and other Indian states migrated to this city. Increased job opportunities attract migration of labor force who live in squatter settlements across the city, contributing to the increase in its slums.

The Samruddhi program is being implemented since 2015 to make the quality of life in 6 slums. Mashal is the implementing partner who is carrying out development activities in the 6 slums namely Shinde wasti, Gosavi wasti, Lohiya Wasti, Sainath wasti, Tarawade wasti, and Mahatma Phule wasti.

These slums are usually substandard, dingy houses of high density and congestion, overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, absence of basic amenities like water supply, drainage and sewerage and disposal of garbage which poses threat to the inhabitants. During the assessment, it was noted that sanitation stood out to be an urgent and major issue. The three slum’s Sainath wasti, Shinde wasti, and Lohiya wasti had a population of 7748 of which Out of 4112 population consisting of 380 households was using 6 community toilets. These community toilets were not in good condition they had broken doors, no light, broken seats, had draining issues, broken tap with irregular water supply. Because of all these issues, people avoided using the toilets.

To improve the quality-of-life index through access to safe drinking water and Sanitation the project took the initiative to renovate and upgrade the existing community toilet. The renovation work commenced in the year 2016-2017 and focused on replacing toilet seats, flooring, electrical work, door, repairing drainage, constructing new chamber, tap connection, painting and providing water tank.

While the renovation was on health and hygiene awareness camp in each wasti were done to promote behaviors on improving personal hygiene and safe sanitation.

Sanitation committees were formed for the purpose of increasing ownership in community toilets users to promote sustainability. People have started using the toilets and have taken up the responsibility for maintaining them.

Testimonial:

In our wasti the community toilet was dirty and in pathetic condition. The doors were broken and not lights, so my kids and I were scared to go there at night. Following the renovation of the community toilet, it is well lit, has good flooring and doors are fitted. Now slums peoples don’t have to outside in open spaces. All are using the community toilet.” – Mrs. Mehjaveen Shaikh from Shinde wasti.