Bhubaneswar, Oct. 1: The housing and urban development department has nominated the hybrid toilet or Ama Souchalaya project for an award under the 'innovation' category of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

The nomination was made on behalf of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Sulabh International. The award will be given in Delhi tomorrow.

The submission was made after the Centre asked the state government to identify agencies that have done 'exemplary work to achieve milestones under the cleanliness mission'.

'Hybrid toilet, planned by Sulabh and our officials a year ago, is a unique project since it serves as both a community and a public toilet facility. A similar project is not to be found in any other Indian city which is why we have decided to nominate this project for the award,' said an official of the housing and urban development department.

Another official of the department claimed that the project was unique as it was equipped with energy-efficient LED (light emitting diode) lights and had accessibility for everyone, including ladies, gentl-emen, children, and the disabled.

The low height urinals make it particularly user-friendly for the children and the disabled.

In the ladies toilets, there are tables where mothers can sit their babies for changing their diapers.

Besides, provisions have been made on the roof of the toilets for ventilation and passive lighting.

'We have carefully chosen sites for the toilet project that will have easy accessibility for the neighbourhood communities and a floating population. We are trying to ensure optimum use of resources,' said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

'Child-friendly infrastructure is one of our priorities in the Smart City proposal. The toilets have also been designed keeping this in mind,' said municipal commissioner Krishan Kumar.

In May last year, the BMC had inked a deal with Sulabh International to construct about 150 hybrid toilets with 1,691 seats at various key locations of the city by 2019. So far, they have come up with 20 such facilities at various parts.

'It is a unique project of the administration. A year ago, finding a public toilet in the city was a daunting task. But things are gradually changing now. I hope that the administration gets due recognition for their initiative,' said Narayan Majhi, a resident of Kharavela Nagar.