City public toilets stink, MC turns blind eye

Pavneet Singh Chadha

Chandigarh, August 7

Public toilets in city markets are in a deplorable condition with odious stench, leaking faucets, broken pipes and poor water supply.

Most of the toilets in the markets continue to remain filthy causing inconvenience to shopkeepers and customers. In Sectors 7, 8, 9, 26 and 27, water supply was an area of concern with taps running dry in public toilets.

In some cases, cisterns were either broken or non-existent. The ladies toilet in Sector 8-B market was locked. In Sector 7-C, lavatories were found locked due to no water supply.

In Sector 27 market, urinals were found broken in the toilet.

Rohit Bohra, a shopkeeper in the Sector 8 market, said: “The toilets here are in an abysmal condition. There is no water for flushing. Electricity wires are left uncovered and water seeps from the roof because of rain.”

Dev, an employee of Balkishan Dass Jain Jewellers, located in the inner market, said: “The toilet does not have a latch inside. So, anyone can enter the place.”

Ramji Lal, a businessman in Sector 7-C, New Chandigarh car market, said: “There is no power connection in the toilet here for the past six months. We have raised the complaint several times, but the administration has failed to take any action.”

“There is an open nullah where discharge from toilet goes. The repair work on the sewage line is yet to be completed,” he said.

Some people complained that the washrooms should stay open till 9.30 pm.

“The official timings for toilets are from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm. But, attendant closes it around 7 in the evening. Hence, we use nearby markets or malls after that ,” said a shopkeeper.

Absenteeism is also an issue.

“The caretakers leisure around and desert the toilet before their shift ends,” said a shopkeeper.

Caretakers await salaries

Caretakers of public toilets alleged that they had not been paid their salaries for the past two months and were purchasing cleaning equipment from their own pockets.

Sanjay, a caretaker in a public toilet at Sector 8-C, said: “I am awaiting my salary for June and July. Officials said there was a problem with the contractor concerned. I have purchased floor cleaner disinfectant and soap on my own.”

Ashok Kumar, who is an attendant in the New Chandigarh Car Market, said: “I had not been paid salary for the past three months. I do not know who to approach in this regard. I have been purchasing soap, floor cleaner, broom and wiper for the toilet with my own money.”

A market representative in Sector 7 said: “The previous contractor has not paid the staff in the washroom here. The municipal corporation should have different contractors for specific zones for better management.”

Some attendants are charging users Rs 5-10 for using the facilities.

“On various occasions, the caretakers allow the public toilets to be used for bathing and washing clothes to make a quick buck. They are running a racket by using public property for personal business,” alleged a shopkeeper. he caretakers at public toilets get a salary of Rs 9,604 per month.

According to the rules, there is no charge for using public toilets in markets.