App that helps travellers locate nearby toilets launched in Kerala

The 'Take a Break' project launched by the Kerala government, aimed at establishing and mapping public toilets through a mobile application, represents a significant step towards improving public sanitation infrastructure and enhancing convenience, especially for women travellers. This initiative, implemented through local bodies, addresses a long-standing challenge in urban and rural landscapes across India: the acute shortage and poor maintenance of public sanitation facilities.

**Background Context and What Happened:**

Public sanitation has been a critical issue in India for decades. While national campaigns like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA), launched in 2014, have focused extensively on ending open defecation and constructing household toilets, the provision of accessible, clean, and safe public toilets, particularly for transient populations like travellers, remains a major gap. Women, in particular, face disproportionate challenges, including health risks, safety concerns, and reduced mobility due to the lack of adequate and gender-sensitive sanitation facilities. This often forces them to limit fluid intake during travel, leading to health complications, or to use unsafe, unhygienic alternatives. Recognising this specific need, Kerala, a state known for its high human development indicators and progressive social policies, conceptualized the 'Take a Break' project. The project involves local self-government institutions (LSGIs) in identifying, constructing, renovating, and maintaining public toilets. Crucially, it integrates technology by developing a mobile application that allows users to locate nearby facilities, providing real-time information and feedback mechanisms.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:**

Several key stakeholders are central to the success and impact of the 'Take a Break' project. Foremost is the **Kerala State Government**, which conceived the policy, allocated resources, and provides overall guidance. The **Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs)**, including Panchayats and Municipalities, are pivotal implementers. They are responsible for the on-ground execution, construction, maintenance, and ensuring the functionality of these facilities. This aligns with the constitutional mandate of the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts (1992), which empower LSGIs to plan and implement schemes for economic development and social justice, including public health and sanitation (listed under the Twelfth Schedule for municipalities and Eleventh Schedule for panchayats). **Women travellers and the general public** are the primary beneficiaries, whose convenience, health, and safety are directly improved. **Technology providers and app developers** are crucial for creating and maintaining the digital platform that makes locating these facilities easy. Additionally, **local communities and civil society organisations** can play a role in monitoring the cleanliness and accessibility of these toilets and providing feedback to local authorities.

**Why This Matters for India:**

This initiative holds profound significance for India across social, economic, and governance dimensions. **Socially**, it addresses a fundamental human right to sanitation and dignity, particularly for women, by providing safe and accessible spaces. This enhances women's participation in the workforce and public life, reduces health risks associated with holding urine for prolonged periods, and improves overall public hygiene. It also contributes to **gender equality** (SDG 5) and **good health and well-being** (SDG 3). **Economically**, improved public sanitation can boost tourism, as travellers are more likely to visit places with reliable infrastructure. It also supports the mobility of working professionals, particularly women, thereby contributing to economic productivity. From a **governance perspective**, the project showcases effective decentralization, leveraging LSGIs for local problem-solving. It also exemplifies the successful integration of technology (e-governance) for public service delivery, making essential services more accessible and transparent. The 'Take a Break' model offers a replicable framework for other states grappling with similar challenges, demonstrating how state-led initiatives, combined with local implementation and technological innovation, can bridge critical infrastructure gaps.

**Historical Context and Constitutional Provisions:**

India's journey in sanitation has seen various programs, from the Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) in 1986 to the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) in 2012, culminating in the transformative Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) in 2014. While SBA achieved significant success in reducing open defecation, the focus often remained on household toilets. The 'Take a Break' project addresses a nuanced yet critical aspect of public sanitation. Constitutionally, the initiative is rooted in the principles of public health and local self-governance. **Article 21 (Right to Life)** has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to dignity, health, and a clean environment, all of which are supported by adequate sanitation. **Article 47** of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) mandates the State to improve public health. Most importantly, the **73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts (1992)** empower Panchayats and Municipalities, respectively, to undertake functions related to public health and sanitation. Specifically, the Twelfth Schedule (Article 243W) lists 'Public health, sanitation conservancy and solid waste management' as a function of Municipalities, and the Eleventh Schedule (Article 243G) implies similar responsibilities for Panchayats. This project is a direct manifestation of these constitutional provisions at the grassroots level.

**Future Implications:**

The success of Kerala's 'Take a Break' project could inspire similar initiatives across other Indian states. Its future implications include the potential for nationwide replication, possibly integrated with broader Smart Cities Mission goals or national tourism promotion strategies. Further technological enhancements might include real-time occupancy sensors, automated cleaning schedules, and user rating systems to ensure quality and accountability. Data collected from the app could also inform urban planning and infrastructure development decisions. However, challenges such as sustained funding, regular maintenance, behavioral change among users, and ensuring safety in remote locations will need continuous attention. The project underscores the growing recognition that comprehensive development requires not just grand infrastructure projects but also attention to basic necessities that enhance the quality of daily life for citizens, particularly vulnerable groups like women travellers.