Susanna Lazarus
Last Updated : 17 May 2011 07:07:05 AM IST
CHENNAI: On the streets of Kosapet, ramshackle dwellings abound. Most houses do not have toilets and bathrooms, and are forced to rely on the public facilities that have been provided by external agencies.
But the condition of three such public toilets in the area, one of which is pay and use, are terrible.
The women’s portion in two of the places had no roof cover. There is no privacy; the houses around being higher than the building housing the conveniences. Only one of the buildings had a light bulb. In the other two, only fixtures remained.
“There are no lights in the men’s portion either,” said Srinivas, caretaker of the toilet on Sachidhanandam Street.
“It is difficult for the women and children to use the toilet after dark,” he added. The blue sheet roofing is caving in, and there are leaves in the water trough.
The toilet on Arunachalam Street is a pay and use facility. The money is collected by Kamala, who has taken the contract for the building.
“More than a hundred people use this place every day. The charges are Rs 10 for washing clothes, Rs 5 for bathing and Rs 2 for toilet purposes.”
Annapoorani, a worker from the anganwadi, says, “The toilet is unusable. The women’s portion is adjacent to the men’s, and the ventilators offer an unwanted view.”
A toilet in the interior of Kosapet has cobwebs strung across the doors, showing the disuse. The floors are broken. Immediately next to the building is a house offering a direct view from the terrace.
None of the toilets have individual taps, although connections have been provided.
The toilets come under Zone VII, although there is no indication on any of the toilets in the area.
All three conveniences mentioned are within walking distance from Corporation Ward No. 101 office.
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