SHILLONG: There are varied reasons which force people to relieve themselves in public, a habit that needs to be contained.
According to citizens, the habit of using open spaces as toilets stems from several factors, a major being lack of enough public toilets in the city.
Another reason is that those who man the few public toilets charge high fee. Also, some offices keep the toilets locked and visitors are forced to go out during emergency.
The unhygienic condition of public toilets and lack of maintenance in parts of the city, including the one at Mawkhar point, also deter people from using them in fear of getting infection. But many are not aware that urinating and defecating in the open can have its own ill-effects. There are suggestions from a section of people that the Urban Affairs Department and the civic body should frame rules prohibiting urinating in public and impose heavy penalty. The agency should also ensure cleanliness of public toilets in parts of the city as the stench drives away potential users.
While it is easier for men to use any public space as toilet, women face the biggest problem. The toilet at State Central Library and the one inside the green room at U Soso Tham Auditorium are not fit for human use.
Important public offices like the East Khasi Hills DC office have some toilets but they are kept locked.
The daily footfall at the DC’s Office is over a few thousands but they have to hunt for places when it comes to relieving themselves. Also, the obnoxious stench emanating from the toilet when one gets out of the DC office from the back entrance is enough for an individual to change his or her mind to use the facility.
In many government offices, the toilets are covered with stains of pan juice. Inconsiderate users spit into commodes instead of using wash basins.
The sub-registry office has the story for people in need. Those who visited the Shillong Bar Association said they were charged Rs 5 whereas its members informed that the toilets are maintained with their contribution.
On the other hand, the BSNL office at Brightwell Road opposite Lady Hydari Park has several toilets earmarked for both the sexes at each floor and customers are allowed to use them.
Similarly, the MBoSE office also allows visitors to use the toilets while the DC’s office, despite high footfall, restricts the toilets to staff. Another important factor that is forcing people to relieve in streets and lanes instead of public toilets are the exorbitant rates being charged. Those who used public toilets in the city said Rs 5 is charged for urination and those who had lived outside the State observed that nowhere else in the country such rates are charged. Many people wonder how much they have to spend daily if they use the public toilets.
Hence, it is seen that the caretakers are sitting idle throughout the day in front of the public toilets for want of customers.
There are also concerns about the homeless people who live and defecate in the open. Numerous such people occupy the front areas of the commercial building opposite Polo market, Matri Mandir, the areas around Sri Krishna Dairy, Police Bazar and elsewhere.
An official with the Urban Affairs and the Municipal body admitted that shortage of public toilets in parts of the city and also lack of cleanliness need immediate attention.
