Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jun 10: In a definite step towards making Mangaluru a more hygienic city, the e-toilets in Mangaluru City introduced by the City Corporation within the city limits have not been effectively used.

The e-toilets were started during the tenure of Kavitha Sanil as Mayor. The e-toilets, which were donated by HPCL, were then inaugurated by former MLA J R Lobo.

The city has been facing lack of public toilets for many years. Defecating and urinating in the open not only spreads bad odour but also adversely affects the health of the citizens and the beauty of the city. People who have migrated to Mangaluru from different cities are desperately in search of toilets to relieve themselves.

It is said that there are 11 e-toilets in the city. Each of these toilets was said to have 300-liter water tanks.

Speaking to daijiworld.com, former mayor Kavitha Sanil said, "As many as five e-toilets have been set up in the city. The city corporation has failed to maintain them. So the people are not using these toilets."

Activist Hanumanth Kamath said, "Our representatives are not bothered about maintaining facilities at these public toilets. After providing for the facility, they need to maintain it properly. Onus is on elected representatives to take up the responsibility of maintaining hygiene and cleanliness in these toilets."

Assistant engineer of Mangaluru City Corporation Shabarinath Rai said, "It has come to our notice. We have asked the present contractor to do the needful.”

Speaking to daijiworld.com, Mangaluru City Corporation chief whip Premanand Shetty said, "We will bring this issue to the notice of the present administration. Due to lack of maintenance, people are not using the toilets. This problem will be sorted out and resolved as soon as possible."

Members of the public in the city say they do not use the e-toilets as the city corporation authorities have failed to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.