As part of the Infrastructure and Systems layer in the IIHS Urban Fellows Programme Commons, the 2024-25 cohort of 75 IIHS Urban Fellows recently concluded an enriching learning visit to Tamil Nadu, spanning November 19-22. This immersive experience focused on understanding urban systems and services, with sanitation and solid waste management serving as key lenses for exploration. The fellows visited the cities of Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli and Tenkasi, delving into pioneering initiatives and ground-level realities of urban sanitation.

The visit highlighted comprehensive sanitation efforts under IIHS-led projects, namely the Tamil Nadu Urban Sanitation Support Programme (TNUSSP), the Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) project and the ‘Assistance in the operations of Micro Composting Centers and Informal Sector Integration’ project in Tiruchirappalli.

In Tirunelveli, the fellows engaged with the ‘Restoration of Social-Ecological Systems of the Tamiraparani Riverscape’ project, a collaborative initiative between IIHS and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). This project underscores the intersection of urban infrastructure and ecological restoration.

The visit also featured a tour of the 40 KLD Tenkasi Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP), a benchmark facility exemplifying effective implementation and operations. Fellows further explored the Sattur Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), with a capacity of 4.63 MLD.

They observed decanting station co-located in the STP for co-treatment of septage and the Activated Sludge Process (ASP), gaining insights into large-scale sewage management processes. This visit emphasised the critical role of municipal-technical partnerships in building resilient and sustainable sanitation infrastructure.

In Tiruchirappalli, the fellows collaborated with the CWIS team to explore a multipronged approach to inclusive sanitation. They observed a containment improvement demonstration at a community toilet and visited a micro-compost centre, offering practical insights into the seamless integration of sanitation and solid waste management.

Engagements with diverse stakeholders—including community members, community toilet caretakers, and members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)—shed light on the social and economic dimensions of sanitation. These interactions covered themes such as social protection, occupational health and safety, and gender inclusivity, fostering a deeper understanding of the intersecting challenges and opportunities within the sector.

Direct interactions with sanitation workers and urban poor communities enriched the fellows’ learning, highlighting the need for holistic and inclusive approaches to urban sanitation.

The fellows actively engaged in interactive quizzes and showcased their learning through creative outputs, including reels, photostories, and skits. These dynamic activities served as powerful tools for reflection, enabling them to synthesise and present their insights from the visit in innovative ways.

The Tamil Nadu learning visit expanded the fellows’ understanding of urban systems while showcasing IIHS’s impactful contributions to sanitation in the state. By engaging with cutting-edge infrastructure, participatory governance models, and ground-level actors, the fellows gained valuable perspectives on fostering sustainable urban solutions.

Written by Abhilaasha N, Consultant – Practice, IIHS-TNUSSP.