Hyderabad: The messy affair of public toilets

Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) had installed some 10,000 public toilets with much fanfare claiming that Hyderabad is the only city in the country with such a facility under the Swachh Hyderabad project. However, hardly 30 per cent of the toilets remain in use. Activists allege that lakhs of rupees were spent in the name of Swachh Hyderabad campaign, but the facilities meant for public use are now slowly rusting away.

It has been three months since these toilets have been installed, however, the majority of them have been locked. "The crores of rupees spent on construction of toilets is proving to be a huge loss to exchequer as the unused toilets are now rusting on roads and are already getting damaged while there is no official concern for utilising the facility," said Mohammed Ahmed, a social activist.

According to GHMC reports, some toilets were inaugurated in August and some in October, but most are awaiting inauguration from the officials and public representatives. Out of the 10,000 toilets under GHMC limits, 8,000 are 'free to use'. Each one is built at a cost ranging between Rs 65,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh with proper facilities like running water, electricity and ventilation. GHMC had built at least 1,200 in each zone involving private agencies for its maintenance and good utility.

Speaking to The Hans India, one of the GHMC officials, said that in each circle there are more than 500 toilets and not even 25 per cent of toilets are in use. Most of these toilets are yet to get proper sewerage connection. "The works were started in July and till September most of them were completed," he added.

It has been observed that the people were relieving themselves at roadside and near public toilets. "The people in Old City areas are unaware of such toilets having been installed. Many have been set up at garbage points and most of them are yet to open for use. Then how can people use these toilets near garbage bins?" asked K Venkatesh, activist from Old City.

He said that many toilets in the South zone (Charminar) have been installed near garbage bins and the doors, shutters are damaged. The toilet equipment and decorative paintings and properties have been stolen.

"The tall claims by the Municipal Corporation that crores of rupees have been spent on 10,000 toilets and that Rs 20 crore would be spent towards annual maintenance of all toilets is the largest drive in public toilets across the country. However, looking at the pathetic condition of toilets it seems that the public money is being wasted," said Abdul Rahman, another activist.

Several people including leaders, social activists, people on road have requested the civic body to open the toilets at the earliest and shift them from the garbage points in Old City.