City’s toilets make HC flush in anger
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NEW DELHI: Even while the capital decks up to usher in the 67th Independence Day, the abysmal state of its public toilets has left Delhi high court shocked.
A court-appointed panel of scientists from Central Pollution Control Board informed HC on Wednesday that many city toilets have been converted into shelters for goats and stray animals, most having either broken doors or no doors at all, lacking power and water supplies and sporting very poor hygiene.
Submitting its findings by way of an affidavit, CPCB laid bare the dilapidated condition of toilets in areas falling under the jurisdictions of three corporations, New Delhi Municipal Council and the Delhi Cantonment Board.
"Out of 897 toilet blocks inspected in Delhi 24% are physically dilapidated, 12% have unsanitary conditions, 25% are paid toilets, 43% don't have guards and 10% are in extremely unhygienic condition," the report says, drawing the big picture.
It also highlighted another depressing aspect—just 4% of the total toilets cater to women—and even these suffer from poor upkeep and unhygienic conditions. "Status of public toilets, especially for women, is not satisfactory. There is an urgent need for more toilets for women," the panel records. It adds that, out of the 4% women toilets inspected by it, "most of them were either locked or non-functional."
Drawing HC's attention to another problem, the panel points out how civic agencies have failed to ensure public toilets and urinals are located at common places, which are easily accessible. "Corporations should avoid constructing such establishments in lanes, by lanes and congested places where they can't be used by the public or in areas where public conveniences become a place for miscreants," it advised.
After studying the report, HC expressed its anguish and directed the trifurcated MCD, NDMC and Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB) to file a status report within four weeks, "indicating the steps taken for proper maintenance of public toilets...All the civic agencies would also indicate their plan of action with regard to toilets for disabled persons."
HC had earlier roped in the CPCB scientists to inspect and access the status of public toilets including those for ladies. The court passed the order on a PIL filed by advocates
Ashok Aggarwal and Khagesh Jha alleged failure on the part of civic agencies to construct more women's toilets. The petition referred to a report of a survey conducted in south Delhi and New Delhi.
A court-appointed panel of scientists from Central Pollution Control Board informed HC on Wednesday that many city toilets have been converted into shelters for goats and stray animals, most having either broken doors or no doors at all, lacking power and water supplies and sporting very poor hygiene.
Submitting its findings by way of an affidavit, CPCB laid bare the dilapidated condition of toilets in areas falling under the jurisdictions of three corporations, New Delhi Municipal Council and the Delhi Cantonment Board.
"Out of 897 toilet blocks inspected in Delhi 24% are physically dilapidated, 12% have unsanitary conditions, 25% are paid toilets, 43% don't have guards and 10% are in extremely unhygienic condition," the report says, drawing the big picture.
It also highlighted another depressing aspect—just 4% of the total toilets cater to women—and even these suffer from poor upkeep and unhygienic conditions. "Status of public toilets, especially for women, is not satisfactory. There is an urgent need for more toilets for women," the panel records. It adds that, out of the 4% women toilets inspected by it, "most of them were either locked or non-functional."
Drawing HC's attention to another problem, the panel points out how civic agencies have failed to ensure public toilets and urinals are located at common places, which are easily accessible. "Corporations should avoid constructing such establishments in lanes, by lanes and congested places where they can't be used by the public or in areas where public conveniences become a place for miscreants," it advised.
After studying the report, HC expressed its anguish and directed the trifurcated MCD, NDMC and Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB) to file a status report within four weeks, "indicating the steps taken for proper maintenance of public toilets...All the civic agencies would also indicate their plan of action with regard to toilets for disabled persons."
HC had earlier roped in the CPCB scientists to inspect and access the status of public toilets including those for ladies. The court passed the order on a PIL filed by advocates
Ashok Aggarwal and Khagesh Jha alleged failure on the part of civic agencies to construct more women's toilets. The petition referred to a report of a survey conducted in south Delhi and New Delhi.
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