GCC's Pee Point Mapping initiative lets people point out open defecation spots
While moving towards rethinking sanitation in the city, a month-long International Toilet Festival 3.0 has been launched by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), along with Washlab, Cheer, and Recycle Bin.
Among all the projects lined up by the GCC, from conversations on sanitation and hygiene to donating toilets, the one that caught the eye of Chennai's younger crowd is the 'Pee Point Mapping' initiative.
Instead of turning one's head away from open defecation and urination across the city, people can now drop the location pin and report it through an online portal, which is available till July 5, 2025.
By introducing such initiatives and calls, the impact is two-fold, says a 27-year-old urban planner and artist from the city, Srishti Prabakar. 'Apart from crowdsourcing data and recording this act, it also makes people more active within their own built environment,' she said.
Drawing parallels with similar platforms across Europe that have been seeing success, she added, 'You can see it creating a sense of responsibility among citizens of their neighbourhoods. While it might not solve open defecation overnight, it is getting closer to solutions,' she added.
She believes that it is not about passing the baton but taking collective action.
'This is a 'see something, say something' moment for the public — that encourages one to immediately take a step ahead by mapping open defecation spots — which is why it seems important to me,' says Tharun T., a final-year BBA student.
'At the end of the campaign, I hope it actually leads to more practical and well-designed solutions, such as self-cleaning public toilets in underserved neighbourhoods. For instance, unorganised workers in construction sites do not always find accessible public toilets nearby,' says Tulsi Goyal, 24, scientific writer. 'More young people should participate in such campaigns,' she added.
'This mapping initiative is mainly done to see how we could stop these pee points through crowdsourced data. We will begin working on solutions, whether that means installing more public toilets in specific areas or taking up beautification projects,' a senior corporation official said.
When contacted, Shebin, Director of Washlab, a research and development platform, clarified that it was not an awareness project. However, he said, public participation was required to see a change in society.
'Pee points are in front of our eyes as we walk the streets, yet we have learned to ignore them. But are we actually okay with this? In some areas, even with free public toilets nearby, open urination persists. A circular or new law would not fix the behaviour; what we need to do is address the root causes for a lasting change,' said Mr. Shebin.
The data collected through the initiative will shape the next phase of their action. Residents can drop a WhatsApp message at 94455 51913 to participate in the campaign.
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