Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Apr 2: The e-toilets which were set up at different spots in the city under the head, 'Namma Mangaluru - Swachha Mangaluru', have been just serving the decoration purpose by the sides of the footpaths. The people are unable to use them.

The city used to suffer from a shortage 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 looks of the city.

E-toilets near Pabbas in the city (file photo)

Two e-toilets which were provided by Hindustan Petroleum under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds near Pabbas at Lalbagh here. The doors of these toilets do not open even when one inserts coins. Therefore they have become a waste. Two other e-toilets located near Kadri Park are non-functional and hence unusable. The condition of the e-toilet on the railway station road is despicable and it may fall anytime.

In the second phase, two e-toilets were provided at Surathkal and one in Padavinangady. They have not been handed over to the city corporation. The e-toilet erected under the Smart City Project at the bus stand opposite Kadri police station has not been opened. The ones at Pachanady bus stand and Shaktinagar auto stand too are not properly used.

For the people who arrive in the morning by buses from Bengaluru do not have toilets at Pumpwell, Kankanady and Jyoti. People have to go searching for hotels or vacant spots. There are Sulabh toilets at different places which are functioning satisfactorily, says mayor, Premananda Shetty, who admits that e-toilets have not been successful because of maintenance problems. City corporation's environment engineer, Shabarinath Rai, says that e-toilets on footpaths are not usable because of works going on to lay pipelines and road development. He said they will be made functional soon.