IIT Mandi develops solar-powered heated toilets for Lahaul-Spiti region

The institute will establish more such toilets on a pilot basis at Sissu and Trilokinath which are visited by a large number of tourists. If the technology works fine in extreme weather conditions of Lahaul, more such public toilets will be established in the district and other parts of the state.

IIT Mandi develops solar-powered heated toilets for Lahaul-Spiti region to prevent water from freezing

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has come up with solar-powered heated toilets. The institute at the request of the Lahaul-Spiti administration came up with a solar-powered heated toilet to prevent water from freezing in winters. 

The institute will establish more such toilets on a pilot basis at Sissu and Trilokinath which are visited by a large number of tourists. If the technology works fine in extreme weather conditions of Lahaul, more such public toilets will be established in the district and other parts of the state, the institute said as reported by TOI.

The technology can further be replicated in cold regions like Ladakh. Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Neeraj Kumar said "toilets become useless in winters in the district when temperature plunges as low as -25°C. The water freezes completely, leaving toilets useless. This is the main hurdle in winter tourism in the district. We had faced similar problems last year when our public toilets were choked as water turned ice. Tourism in Lahaul has increased suddenly after opening of the tunnel which also provided access to the valley but complete sanitation is a challenge, especially in winters,” he said.

He said "providing toilet facilities to tourists after November is a big challenge. He said traditional dry toilets, which are used by local residents in winters, have not been accepted by the tourists coming from other states. Electric heating of the toilets is also not possible at most tourist places due to many reasons."

“We were looking for options like solar energy for passive space heating in toilets to prevent water from freezing in winters. IIT Mandi is collaborating with the district administration through their outreach programme to find a viable solution. Assistant professor Anil Kishan did a field survey on June 25 to chalk out requirements for establishing two toilet units on a pilot basis,” he added.

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