Tamil Nadu - Salem   

Sanitation complex in poor shape

Photo: P. Goutham

Not in use: The Integrated Women and Children Sanitary Complex in Pudur Agraharam in Veerapandi Union lacks basic facilities such as water. —

SALEM: An integrated women and children sanitation complex in Periyar Nagar of Pudur Agraharam in Veerapandi union remains unused for the past six years. The reason is ‘no water.’

The complex constructed under the Anna Marumalarchi Scheme during 2002 at a cost of Rs. 2 lakh was to inculcate the importance of personal hygiene and general sanitation among the women and children, a majority of them Dalits, in Periyar Nagar.

When constructed, the women and children in the area used open space for their morning chores since they did not have any toilet facilities.

A majority of them are mat weavers and labourers. Hence they urged the administration to provide them a sanitary complex.

After repeated representations, the project was undertaken under the Anna Marumalarchi scheme.

The then Speaker in AIADMK regime K. Kalimuthu declared open the building, which had 12 toilets and adequate supply of water from a newly-sunk bore-well.

But over the years, miscreants removed the doors of toilets and the bore well also went dry.

Though the officials in local administration in Veerapandi Union were informed, nothing worthwhile had emerged.

With no water, women and children have once again resorted to the practice of utilizing the open space as toilets.

The residents of Periyar Nagar urge the District administration to sink a new bore-well and repair the sanitary complex so that they can use it again.

They also want it to be properly maintained.

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