Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Raising a stink City lacks clean public toilets

Subha J Rao

A traumatic experience for thousands of commuters

UNBEARABLE STENCH: Ill-maintained toilets such as this one pose a health hazard to users. - Photo: M. Periasamy

Coimbatore: If you are in the vicinity of a public toilet, waiting for a bus or train can turn out to be a traumatic experience. The toilet raises such a stink that many only use it as the last resort.

The lack of clean public toilets regularly poses problems for the thousands of commuters in the city, morning walkers and travellers.

The city has 163 public toilets, of which 52 have been leased out to self-help groups for maintenance. Corporation workers run the remaining.

Sunita Jhawar, a homemaker, faced a problem whenever she went shopping with her children in areas such as Cross Cut Road or R. S. Puram. "When they cried because they had to relieve themselves, all we could do was enter a restaurant, order something and allow the children to use the rest rooms there. Well-maintained toilets in such places can make such a difference."

The toilet on Race Course Road is the exception. It is favoured by walkers and passers-by.

Vanchi, Director, GMR Group, who walks here, says it is the social responsibility of the Corporation to maintain all toilets well. "Why can't they charge a premium for rest rooms in Race Course and other places frequented by the elite? Use that money to cross-subsidise those in congested places and used by the common man," he says.

Not possible, says Corpn.

However, Corporation officials say this is not possible. Those using the toilets in public bus stands complain of ill-maintained toilets and lack of water. The scene is no different in railway stations.Unable to bear the stench inside these toilet complexes, many urinate and defecate in the open, posing a new set of problems.

The solution is simple. All people need to do is leave public toilets clean after use for the next person.

In case you find a public toilet dirty, you can call zonal sanitation officers at 2213133 (North), 2551700 (West), 2215618 (South) and 2572698 (East) to lodge your complaints.

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