Chennai’s woes with inadequate and poorly maintained public toilets is a well-documented issue. The number of toilets proportional to the population is vastly less than ideal.
The public toilet on Lang’s Garden Road in a bad shape
Chennai:
One such site that epitomises all the issues in the public toilet system in the city is the toilet on Lang’s Garden Road. Though functional, compared to other toilets in the city, the facility is broken and it is discharging sewage around the nearby areas.
Merely a foot away from the toilet is a drain that is filled with dirty water and sewerage that is leaking.
The open drain is a definite health hazard to those in the area. The stench permeates in the air around. The drain is also a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease causing organisms.
“The open drain is a serious issue. The sewage leaks and it gets worse after a spell of rain as it could overflow on to the pavement. There are vendors and walkers, who use the pavement on a daily basis. It is unhygienic and can spread illness if left unaddressed,” says Mahendran S, a passer-by.
Public toilets are vital and used by those most in need, but the neglect faced by them and the issues caused far surmount the usage in places where the facilities are damaged. Considering the plight of the people who have to endure the smell and the hazards associated, priority must be given to fix this issue.
Talking to DT Next, the Executive Engineer for the Zone says, “Yes, we are aware of this problem and are taking suitable action. The Chennai Metro Water Board has been notified, and the issue is due to a problem between the toilet pipe and the main pipeline. Since it is a busy road, there has been some delay in the repair. But there will be a permanent solution shortly.”
Existing toilets have been lacking basic hygiene and amenities as evidenced by a recent survey conducted by the Dhagam Foundation among others. Paradoxically, the city has been declared open defecation-free despite residents frequently complaining of the state of civic infrastructure and the need to improve access for all.
One such site that epitomises all the issues in the public toilet system in the city is the toilet on Lang’s Garden Road. Though functional, compared to other toilets in the city, the facility is broken and it is discharging sewage around the nearby areas.
Merely a foot away from the toilet is a drain that is filled with dirty water and sewerage that is leaking.
The open drain is a definite health hazard to those in the area. The stench permeates in the air around. The drain is also a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease causing organisms.
“The open drain is a serious issue. The sewage leaks and it gets worse after a spell of rain as it could overflow on to the pavement. There are vendors and walkers, who use the pavement on a daily basis. It is unhygienic and can spread illness if left unaddressed,” says Mahendran S, a passer-by.
Public toilets are vital and used by those most in need, but the neglect faced by them and the issues caused far surmount the usage in places where the facilities are damaged. Considering the plight of the people who have to endure the smell and the hazards associated, priority must be given to fix this issue.
Talking to DT Next, the Executive Engineer for the Zone says, “Yes, we are aware of this problem and are taking suitable action. The Chennai Metro Water Board has been notified, and the issue is due to a problem between the toilet pipe and the main pipeline. Since it is a busy road, there has been some delay in the repair. But there will be a permanent solution shortly.”