Indian NGO to help keep Kabul clean

New Delhi, May 2 (UNI) In an initiative to reach out to the people of the war-ravaged and militancy-plagued Afghanistan, prominent Indian NGO Sulabh International has taken up the task of improving sanitation in Kabul by constructing five public toilet complexes and other basic infrastructures.

These public toilets, scheduled to be commissioned later this month, are located in busy market places -- Chowrahee Khotesangi, Sarai Shyamolie, Deh-e-Afghanan and Farosh Gah -- and the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health.

''After their commissioning, the toilet complexes will be handed over to the Kabul Municipality for managing the public convenience on pay and use basis,'' Sulabh Sanitation Movement founder Bindeshwar Pathak said.

For this purpose, Sulabh International organised a training programme here for a group of 21 Afghani officials on sanitation, health and hygiene between April 26 and May 1.

The delegation, led by Mr E.Yasin of the Kabul Municipality, got first hand experiences of the'pay and use toilet system', a design created by Sulabh.

The valedictory function was attended by Afghan Ambassador to India Dr Syed Makhdoom Raheen and Mr Piyish Srivastava, Under Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs.

The Sulabh International Social Service Organisation (SISSO) is contructing the five public toilets, attached with biogas digesters, in Kabul with aid from the Indian Government.

''The public toilets have been designed keeping in mind the existing socio-cultural environment in Afghanistan,'' he said.

Enthused over the success of its project, Sulabh has chalked out plans to launch an intensive campaign to create awareness towards sanitation in different parts of Afghanistan.

An assurance to this effect was given yesterday by Dr Pathak to the Afghan delegetaion.

''I have assured all possible technical support to the Afghanistan government for the construction of public toilet complexes in different parts of the country,'' he said.

He said Sulabh International would monitor and guide the Kabul Municipality to facilitate the operation and maintenance of public toilets. It would also adopt a colony in Kabul later and ensure supply of clean drinking water to it, he added.

''I assure the water will be as clean as mineral water. We hope the Indian Government will support us in this project, but even if it does not, Sulabh will still do it,'' he said.

Appreciating the efforts of Sulabh, the Afghan ambassador urged its founder to extend more support in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Mr Srivastava assured the visting delegation of all kinds of cooperation in the development of Afghanistan.

UNI