Notice to NGO for delaying construction of public toilets in Ludhiana

The municipal corporation (MC) has slapped a notice on non-government organisation (NGO) Karuna Foundation for delaying the project of construction of 40 public toilets in the city. The NGO had started construction of first public toilet near city bus stand a few months ago, but it is has not been completed till now.

As there is a major need of public toilets in the city, the MC had given green signal to the NGO last year for construction of 40 public toilets — 10 each in all four zones.

The NGO is supposed to maintain them for the next 33 years by charging nominal user charges.

Sources said the NGO was to receive the financial aid from central government for the construction of toilets in city, but it failed to receive the payment.

MC commissioner GK Singh Dhaliwal said, “The firm had not started the construction of toilets, which are urgently required in the city. So, we have issued a notice to the NGO concerned for delaying the project.”

“We will propose spending Rs 10 crore on construction of public toilets in the upcoming budget session of the MC.

If the NGO does not start work within seven days, we will cancel the agreement with it, as we do not want any further delay in the construction of public toilets,” he said.

Some people generally urinate in open places as there is no provision of public toilets at many places in the city. Such open urinating points at various places, including railway station, bus stand and at major markets are giving a bad look to the city.

Toilets in shambles

At present, the city has public toilets at 35 places, but most of them are in a shambles. Besides, there is a shortage of toilets for women.

A resident of Pakhowal Road, Inderjit Singh said, “It is the responsibility of civic body to construct public toilets in all major markets and outside public places like railway station and bus stand. Also Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) should ensure construction of public toilets at markets developed by them.”