Lack of toilets at bus terminuses puts hygiene initiatives in limbo

When Rajendran, a Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus driver, was asked directions for the restroom at the Vadapalani Bus Terminus, he was taken aback.
An elderly man takes a leak at the Broadway bus terminus. Toilets have to be built in a hurry if the aim to become open defecation free by 2018 is to become a reality | romani agarwal
An elderly man takes a leak at the Broadway bus terminus. Toilets have to be built in a hurry if the aim to become open defecation free by 2018 is to become a reality | romani agarwal

CHENNAI: When Rajendran, a Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus driver, was asked directions for the restroom at the Vadapalani Bus Terminus, he was taken aback. “Sir, you would have to go out of the terminus. There is a public toilet on a street near Kamala Theatre,” he said. When this incredulous reporter told Rajendran that he couldn’t believe that commuters have to walk the distance just to relieve themselves, the latter said he was helpless. “There is one inside the office but it is only for MTC employees,” Rajendran added in a tone sounding almost apologetic.

On Monday, a senior state government official said Chennai would become open defecation free by 2018. If that is to be realised, authorities better start looking at the bus terminuses in the city.

A common grouse of commuters is that there is no toilet facility. Express visited half a dozen terminuses and found that there was either no provision of restrooms or that they were not used on account of poor maintenance.

In the case of Vadapalani, a toilet is being constructed within the premises, but a timekeeping office staff, preferring anonymity, said it’s been more than a month since work started, but even the flooring has not been completed until now.

Commuters are directed to use public toilets outside. This is the situation at Ambattur Industrial Estate, Aynavaram and Villivakkam. At Villivakkam, there are separate toilets for men and women. However, when Express visited on Tuesday afternoon, the doors were kept locked, making the structure useless.
At Broadway, one of the busiest commercial hubs in the city, there is a concrete toilet complex as well as mobile restrooms provided by the greater Chennai Corporation.  But, the sharp stench around makes one wonder whether the toilets are of any use. For, open defecation appears to be more preferred.
J Ramesh, a regular commuter, said there are several issues which officials have to address to eliminate open defecation.

“Lack of cleanliness and general hygiene, toilets remaining locked, and absence of caretakers are major reasons why people avoid them,” he said, waiting for the 23C bus at Aynavaram.

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