Saturday, 09 March 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Many citizens especially women in the city have expressed their concern over the lack of cleanliness and inadequate facilities in public toilets made under the Smart City project. They fear that these unsanitary conditions may lead to various health infections. Additionally, the sanitary napkins available in these toilets are not only expensive but also frequently unavailable, the women said.
Local resident Chanchal Tyagi expressed concern about using such toilets in urgent situations when away from home. She remarked that despite being labelled as Smart Toilets, they lack amenities. She emphasised that even though a user has to pay for entry and usage, the upkeep, particularly in terms of cleanliness, seems inadequate. It is crucial that public toilets, particularly those catering to women who are more vulnerable to infections during their menstrual cycle are maintained in a hygienic condition, she said.
“During emergencies, I only use the Smart Toilets. The toilet located at Paltan Bazaar always remains unclean, despite assurances from the workers that it will be cleaned within an hour,” another local Mona Chauhan said.
She further pointed out that the sanitary napkins available in the toilets are unavailable at times. Authorities in charge should prioritise the cleanliness of these facilities. Additionally, providing napkins free of charge or reducing their cost would be appreciated, she said.
Another local resident Sania Ibrahim that the cost of using the Smart Toilets in the city varues between Rs five and Rs 10. Addressing this issue should be a priority for the authorities, she said. She added that they should focus on maintaining cleanliness in these facilities to safeguard the health of women, particularly during menstruation.
