In a major step toward improving accessibility and hygiene in the city, Dehradun has inaugurated Uttarakhand’s first grey smart toilet for senior citizens and people with disabilities in the busy Prem Nagar area. Built in just 15 days by the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC), the facility was opened on Tuesday by Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal.
Municipal commissioner Namami Bansal said Prem Nagar was chosen because of its high footfall and the city’s large elderly population. The grey toilet is designed with ramps, grab bars, anti-slip flooring, raised platforms and a wheelchair, ensuring safety and ease of use.
Right next to it, a new pink smart toilet for women has also been launched, offering 24x7 security and modern amenities such as sanitary napkin dispensers, shoe polish machine, hair dryers, a shower area, daycare space and a baby feeding room.
While DMC provided the land, a third-party agency constructed and will maintain both the grey and pink smart toilets. A dedicated caretaker has been appointed for daily operations.
Bansal added that the municipal corporation plans to build more pink and grey smart toilets across Dehradun after reviewing public feedback, strengthening the city’s focus on hygiene, safety and accessible infrastructure.
