Absence of sanitation affects citizens

Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike’s deputy Mayor S Harish had stated recently that strict action will be taken against those who create nuisance by urinating in the public. At last BBMP has finally taken note of the issue after finding that most of the city’s flyovers and  underpasses have been defaced by the some of the irresponsible citizens.But the question arises as to where the citizens should go to attend to natures call when they are commuting from one place to another if the public toilets are not maintained well. One such ‘model urinal’ existed at the entrance of Goodshed Road for many years. However, the toilet detoriated over the years due to lack of maintenance. Now the citizens are forced to urinate next to the urinal.“The toilet was inaugurated some years ago and it was of great help to auto drivers and commuters.  As the road is very wide here, the commuters parked their vehicles and relieved themselves. The unhygienic condition makes it impossible to make use of these toilets,” said Shivanna, a auto-driver. The model urinal is filled with cigarette and plastic covers of gutka, stones, bricks and others blocking the flow. This leaves the passersby with an unbearable stench. The urinal is very near to a veterinary hospital and has invited strange responses from those who bring their domestics to the hospital.When City Express spoke to the area Corporator, Rekha, her husband Kadireshan spoke on behalf of her and said, “The blockage has become common as the urinal is not connected directly to the sanitary line. It is connected to the sewage line. I have already taken up this issue with the engineers of BWSSB, to connect the urinal to the sanitary line which will ensure free flow.”He also alleged that the some people who do not have any responsibility end up throwing their garbage stuffed in plastic covers next to the urinal which ultimately blocks the sewage line. He concluded saying that he will have a word with the concerned BBMP officials to find out the possibilities of re-locating the urinal since it is right below the flyover.