When nature calls, public toilets of no use

Musheerabad: Local residents continue to urinate in public and throw debris on streets/roads despite the recent order of GHMC Commissioner warning of penalty against such offences, mainly because of  lack of proper supervision by the officialdom. Absence of CC cameras is allowing locals, particularly in Golconda Crossroads and near BSNL Bhavan to go scot-free by violating the order. This is happening at a time when GHMC officials have taken pains and spent lakhs to educate the citizens on the need for preventing open urination by painting walls and having figures so that even an unlettered person can become aware that such urination and disposing debris on streets is to be shunned by the people. Although the decision to ban public passing of urine and dumping building material/waste was taken in the past, the ban could not be implemented in totality for various reasons, including alleged indifference of officials concerned.

The GHMC officials are themselves to be blamed for this sorry state of affairs, as the Sulabh Complex built by the civic body at Golconda Crossroads some months back is not being put to full use. This is forcing local residents to urinate in the open resulting in unbearable stink, several traders complained while speaking to The Hans India. They bemoan the loss of business, as customers think twice before approaching them for making purchases. A local resident Syed Ibrahim Hussain told THI that officials should take immediate action to prevent foul smell caused by passing of urine as also against those who dump construction material in the open. To ensure this there should night supervision by the GHMC officials, he stresses.

Musheerabad GHMC Circle 15 Deputy Commissioner Uma Prakash informed THI that although public urinals have been built at spots where the nuisance of open urination takes place more often, they are yet to be used because of delayed drainage connections. He asserted that they would be thrown open to the public in a week, while laying emphasis on the need for a change among the people’s perception. The DC recalls that during the last week Rs 8,000 has been collected as penalty, at the rate of Rs 100 per head, from those who urinated in the open. “We desire that there should be a change in the people’s thinking not to ease themselves in the open.” She warns of taking stringent action against those who throw debris on roads/streets. “After holding discussions with officials concerned, we intend to have night vigil to check such violation of regulations.”

Dumping of debris and other construction waste material from Musheerabad Main Road to RTC Crossroads near the Hyderabad Metro pillars makes it an eyesore. Similar large waste dumps are to be seen along the main road en route to Parsigutta, particularly near the graveyard. Such debris is being thrown in the open during nights. This is causing severe hardships to vehicle-users and local residents, who told THI that CC cameras should be installed at such spots so that the errant offenders could be identified and punished severely. Even film posters are being pasted rather indiscriminately on walls despite orders of GHMC which has banned sticking of ‘godapatrikalu’. Yet no action is being taken against those who violate such ban orders with immunity.