Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 20 June 2025
In a significant step towards addressing gender-specific sanitation and public health needs across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mrs. Sheela Singh, State Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), met with the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands to formally propose the implementation of “Pink Toilets” across key locations in the islands.
During the meeting, Mrs. Singh submitted a detailed proposal outlining the importance of dedicated sanitation facilities for women and girls, particularly in remote tribal areas and high-footfall tourist destinations. The concept of “Pink Toilets,” already successfully implemented in cities like Delhi, Dehradun, and parts of Kerala, aims to provide safe, hygienic, and gender-sensitive spaces for women. These facilities typically include sanitary pad vending machines, incinerators for safe disposal, and the presence of female attendants to ensure safety and privacy.
Highlighting the unique socio-geographical challenges of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mrs. Singh emphasized the critical need for such infrastructure to improve menstrual hygiene, reduce open defecation, and mitigate plastic pollution caused by improper disposal of menstrual waste—especially near fragile coastal ecosystems.
The proposal further recommends that pilot projects be launched in tribal schools of Nicobar and tourist corridors such as Sri Vijaya Puram. Strategic locations including Radhanagar Beach, Cellular Jail, ferry terminals, Jirkatang Check Post, Middle Strait Jetty, all municipal wards, and panchayat markets were identified as priority areas for initial implementation.
Mrs. Singh also stressed the need for climate-resilient and cost-effective construction techniques using local materials, such as rat-trap brick masonry, to ensure sustainability. The initiative, she noted, could be supported under schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen and through CSR partnerships, drawing inspiration from models such as PVR’s initiative in Delhi.
Additionally, the proposal calls for a focus on community ownership by involving local women in both construction and maintenance of these facilities, not only creating employment opportunities but also ensuring the long-term success of the initiative.
Recognizing previous challenges faced in other states, Mrs. Singh underlined the importance of ensuring free 24/7 access and consistent upkeep to prevent issues like operational closures due to user fees.
