MC builds 24 new public toilets

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 23

The Municipal Corporation, Patiala, has constructed 24 public toilets in the city in view of stringent norms under the Swachh Survekshan 2020. As some of the old toilets are now in bad condition due to misuse of the property and ignorance by the MC workers, the Municipal Corporation had outsourced the newly constructed ones.

The new public toilets constructed at over 22 places, including Gur Mandi, Bharpur Garden, behind Kali Mata Mandir, Kartar park colony and other places have been outsourced. Municipal authorities said they have started a pilot project at the public toilet behind Kali Mata Mandir where account of cleanliness at the toilet will be maintained.

Joint commissioner Lal Vishwas said, “Sensors have been installed at the toilets which will keep account of cleanliness, basic facilities including provision of dustbins and availability of electricity others are provided.”

The Municipal Corporation covers over 84 public toilets, including 16 of petrol pumps, 24 newly constructed and others at parks of government institutions.

Officials said the toilets constructed earlier have been renovated, including those at Gurbaksh Colony, Lakkar Mandi, Sanauri Adda, Bus stand. “We have renovated some, while the others are in process,” an official said.

The Municipal Corporation officials have provided the keys to one of the units at Chotti Baradari to the market association. The public utility was not available for the public to use as association members keep it locked.

Those running the units are charging users according to their whim while the charges have not been displayed at the units. Joint Commissioner Lal Vishwas said, “I have interacted with the person concerned and ordered him to display the charges.”