For decades, slum dwellers in Gandhi Nagar, Pulianthope, have been asking the authorities to lay a sewer line in their area.
With only one public toilet for over 300 families, sanitation and hygiene has become a major problem.
R. Krishnamurthy, a daily wage labourer and resident of Gandhi Nagar, said: “There is only one public toilet, which closes at 7 p.m. After that, we have to go to the open ground,” he said. The public toilet is dilapidated and many residents complain that the water supply is poor, he said.
Sivaranjani, a Class 12 student, said: “This is a major problem for us women, as sometimes when there is no water in the toilet, we wait till it gets dark and then go to the open ground. It is scary,” she said.
Recalling an incident where she was harassed by a few men in the open ground, Gowri* said: “There were five men. One of them spotted me and began to verbally abuse me. When I retorted, he attempted to pull my sari. I screamed for help. On seeing people approach, they ran away. I have never stepped out alone since then,” she said.
“It is important that authorities hold a meeting with the residents and build toilets for them. There are several risks, including health risks that come with open defecation,” said Shree Varamangai, a social worker. “We have campaigns like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan that provides families with Rs. 8,000 to construct toilets. The Urban Livelihood Mission too is coming up with a similar initiative. Residents must be made aware of these schemes, once they are informed it will be easier for them to claim their rights,” she said.
Local authorities said that they had been making arrangements to lay sewer lines and build toilets in Gandhi Nagar.
“We have collected applications from families in the locality. We need at least 150 sq. ft. space for toilets in each home. Very few houses have that space,” said V. Sukumar, councillor, Ward 73 – Pulianthope. He added that dry toilets would come up in the area soon.
“Laying sewage line, however, will take some time, as there is no connection in the area, and we will have to block the main road to lay one,” he said.
(* name changed)
