Can the KLOO app revolutionise public toilet access in Kerala?

The KLOO mobile application, which was launched in December last year to create a statewide public toilet network, continues to help people locate clean and accessible toilets in Kerala but issues persist. Launched by the Suchitwa Mission, KLOO was developed by a Bengaluru-based start-up Frugal Scientific Pvt. Ltd.

It aims to promote better public hygiene by connecting users to nearby restaurants and hotels that offer public toilet access. The app uses geotagged data and allows users to find nearby restrooms based on location, wheelchair accessibility, and parking facilities. It is available free of cost on both Android and iOS platforms and is targeted at commuters and travellers during long journeys.

How to use KLOO app

The app shows private and public toilets within an approximately 40-kilometre radius. Once users choose a restroom, they can click on it, and the app redirects them to Google Maps, which provides directions to reach the location.

If users wish to view images of the facility, they must open the ‘Explore’ menu and search the restroom. Among the results will be images of the facility. The explore menu also provides details on whether a restroom is paid or free, along with available features like wheelchair accessibility, western toilet and parking.

Pros and cons of KLOO app

The menu, however, does not have a ‘filter’ or ‘sort’ option, making it difficult for users to filter options according to the facilities they are looking for.

One of the positive aspects of the app is that it lists several restrooms along the National Highway.

The users can rate toilets based on cleanliness, safety and accessibility. Reports also said that users can report issues and leave feedback directly to Suchitwa Mission authorities. However, the lack of active and credible reviews is a concern. The App Store listing notes that the app has “not received enough ratings or reviews to display a summary”. The absence of regular feedback and monitoring makes it difficult for users to fully trust the listed facilities.

Although introduced as a government initiative under the Suchitwa Mission, most listed outlets are privately owned hotels and restaurants. It raises questions about the condition and lack of maintenance of public toilets in several areas.

Another drawback is the limited coverage in important tourist locations. For instance, Fort Kochi, despite being a busy tourist destination with many cafes and hotels, has only a single outlet listed on the app.

Also, there seems to be an inconsistency between the iOS and Android versions of the app. On Android, users can access a full map interface that makes locating nearby facilities easier. However, on iOS, the map section appears poorly optimised and displays only location points instead of a complete map view. This difference may affect usability and create an uneven experience across platforms.

KLOO’s Kochi story

THE WEEK visited several centres in Kochi listed on the KLOO app to check out the facilities firsthand. One common issue was that many staff members at the affiliated hotels and restaurants, including waiters, cashiers, and even managers were unaware of the app and their association with it. While the owners may know about the partnership, ordinary users mainly interact with the staff members, and their lack of awareness creates confusion regarding the service being offered.

Another major issue was the inaccuracy of location data. In several cases, the directions provided by the app led to incorrect locations, for instance, the outlet near Fort Kochi, Thoppumpady, when traced, led to a piece of land with no toilet infrastructure on or near it. Additionally, sometimes the same outlet appeared at two different locations. We also noticed that when clicking on certain location pins, the outlet details kept changing. For example, the first click would display the name and details of one outlet, while the next click on the same pin would show details of an entirely different outlet. Such technical issues reduce the reliability of the app and could cause inconvenience for travellers depending on the app during emergencies.

We also observed inaccuracies in the status updates of outlets. Some places marked as “open” in the app were actually closed, while others marked as “closed” were open. These problems highlight the need for better monitoring and improved technical maintenance of the app.

When contacted, Vijeesh S., Programme Officer, Information, Education and Communication (IEC), Suchitwa Mission, told THE WEEK: “Till now, the app has had 1,114 downloads. Footfalls are less. So, we are planning to increase surveys about the app.” Explaining the criteria for choosing an outlet to be added in the app, he said, “The Mission’s officers visit these spaces, check the cleanliness, and talk to the staff or the owner about the app. We have included ways for customers to rate the restrooms as well.”

Vijeesh said that they are planning to increase the number of restrooms in all local body institutions. “The Suchitwa Mission has ordered panchayats to start work on it, and all the take-a-break restrooms which have already been constructed and under construction will be added to the app.”

He also added that the upcoming app update will resolve all technical issues.

The Indian Sarais Act and use of restrooms at petrol pumps

The Indian Sarais Act, 1867, “empowers the District Magistrate to regulate public sarais. It includes provisions related to registration, character certificate, and written reports from the sarai keeper, among others”. In 2014, the law ministry examined “obsolete and redundant laws in the country” and published a list of such laws. The Union government gave states the authority to decide the future of some of these laws, and the Indian Sarais Act came under this category.

Advocate Joby Kuriakose T.J. told THE WEEK that “in 2022, according to the Kerala Repealing and Savings Act, the Indian Sarais Act is repealed”. It is not currently applicable in Kerala, but it is so in other states. “The use of the act depends on the laws of the state, as the local self government can decide on it,” he said.

As far as the use of restrooms at petrol pumps is concerned, on September 18 last year, the Kerala High Court ruled that all retail petrol pump outlets along the National Highway must “permit the customers, staff, and transit travellers to use the toilet facilities in case the pump is run round the clock and if not, till the working hours of the retail outlet and display a board at the entrance of the retail outlets intimating the availability of water and toilet facilities”.

If the retail outlets are not located along the highway, they have to permit transit travellers and customers to use the facilities, but the retail outlets hold discretion regarding use by the general public.