SHILLONG: Though Shillong is one of the most sought after tourist spots in the Northeast with its beauty and rich culture, surprisingly, the city till date does not have enough public toilets where people, be it local or tourists can relieve themselves.
Some tourists who visited the city were shocked when they found out that the city has only a few public toilets.
In addition, residents of the city have, for long, demanded for public toilets in certain areas of the city thronged by the public, but so far all these appeals have fallen on deaf ears. Though the residents have acknowledged the presence of toilets in parking lots, they feel that there is a need for setting up of more public toilets in prominent areas of the city.
Speaking on the matter, a government official said that the Government has money and the plans to build public toilets in the city but it does not possess land to construct the public toilets.
The official added that at present, public toilets were built only in the parking lots.
Stating that the Government can take up projects under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the official also expressed dismay at the poor condition of the public toilets in the parking lots. The government, at the moment does not have enough manpower to mend the toilet and hence the toilets are outsourced to the private parties.
