How is Sanitation Changing in Rural India?

A decade ago, open defecation was a part of daily life in many parts of rural India. In several villages, people, especially women, had to wait until nightfall to relieve themselves, risking their safety and dignity. Toilets were either absent or unused, and sanitation was rarely discussed.

Reality back then

Before the Swachh Bharat Mission, more than 95% of rural India practiced open defecation. The consequences were devastating: contaminated drinking water, widespread diseases like diarrhoea and cholera, and a serious loss of privacy and dignity, particularly for women.

“We had to wait till it was dark to go out. It felt unsafe and was uncomfortable”, said a lady from a village where Banka Bio installed bio-toilets.

When our team first visited, we found that some homes had rooms built for toilets, but they were being used as storage spaces. The idea of having a toilet inside the house still felt unfamiliar, even unnecessary to many. It wasn’t just an infrastructure gap; it was a mindset gap.

Change Now

Over the years, with government initiatives, awareness programs, and the growing involvement of social enterprises, rural sanitation has taken a major leap forward. Villages that once lacked basic toilets now have clean, functional facilities that bring comfort and dignity to every household.

Banka Bio has contributed to this shift by installing bio-toilets in rural schools and community systems that treat human waste on-site, require no electricity, and leave no foul smell. These solutions have helped communities move from unsafe open fields to safe sanitation, one village at a time.

The Road Ahead

The journey isn’t over. Open defecation still exists in pockets of rural India, often due to broken infrastructure or lack of awareness. The next step is not just to build toilets but to build trust, education, and consistent use.

This is one of many such stories.

Read another one here!