Transgender group operates treatment plant transforming lives and hygiene
Cuttack: Urban governance in Odisha is witnessing a silent yet powerful revolution at the Matagajapur Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP). Here, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has moved beyond standard infrastructure management to champion social equity. The facility is no longer just a sanitation unit; it has become a symbol of pride, run entirely by transgender individuals under the state’s visionary GARIMA scheme.
Beyond the machinery and daily operations, a deeply human narrative drives this initiative. The plant is managed by seven dedicated individuals—dubbed the "Seven Superhumans"—who have transitioned from social marginalization to becoming the guardians of the city's hygiene. Leading this change are Susri Seetal Bastia, Secretary of the Self Help Group, and Tanushree Behera, the President. They are ably supported by members Sibane, Pritam Singh, Suman, Tiki, and Ranjan Kumar Sahoo.
These individuals, who once battled societal stigma and financial instability, now handle the technical and operational demands of the FSTP with professional finesse. Their work ensures the seamless treatment of faecal sludge collected from across the Silver City.
Operational Excellence Meets Social Change
The scale of their responsibility is significant. The Matagajapur plant boasts a treatment capacity of 60 KLD. The team coordinates the movements of 13 cesspool vehicles, managed by skilled drivers and desludgers. Every month, hundreds of trips are logged to ensure that waste from households and commercial establishments is disposed of scientifically. This rigorous process is vital for reducing public health risks and maintaining environmental standards in Cuttack.
From Livelihood to Lifetime Security
The impact of the GARIMA scheme extends far beyond monthly wages. It has offered these workers a platform to earn respect and reclaim their dignity. Recognizing that true inclusion requires stability, the Government of Odisha has announced a major upgrade to their social security.
Going forward, these sanitation warriors will receive housing support under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). Following their enrolment through the Sahajog interface, the state ensures that these workers have access to permanent, safe homes.
This initiative by the Housing and Urban Development Department proves that sanitation is fundamentally about people, not just pipes and pumps. By integrating the transgender community into the mainstream economy and promising housing security, Odisha is setting a national precedent for compassionate and effective urban administration.
