Only when certain parameters were fulfilled, a city would qualify for Smart Cities Mission.
One among them is elimination of open defecation. As per the 2011 census, around 20000 households in the Corporation area did not have attached toilets.
Embarking on a journey to transform the city into a clean city by next year, the Corporation decided to build toilets.
As the government’s offer of Rs 8000 for constructing one toilet with sanitary connections was insufficient, the Corporation proposed to rope in public contribution. Mr. Sandeep Nanduri wrote to banks, hospitals and other business houses in the city through which a whopping Rs 60 lakh came in and more had promised to donate.
As and when the contributions were received, the Corporation staff uploaded the details in its website.
So far, 1000 toilets had been built out of a target of 4,382 individual household latrines for the urban poor, he added.
Many residents in Virattipathu (ward 22), whose dwellings did not have toilets, are benefitted by the project as they have stopped open defecation from the day the Corporation built the toilets.
“With sponsorship coming in from corporate houses, to name a few, Fenner, TVS and Visvas Promoters, we are confident of achieving the target,” Mr. Sandeep Nanduri said.
The Corporation of Madurai’s website showed all contributions made by the donors (in cash and kind) totalling around Rs 70 lakh and it appealed to the public to liberally contribute as the cost incurred to build a toilet worked out to Rs 25,000 approximately.
Mayor (in-charge) K. Thiraviam said that the authorities or conservancy workers alone could not achieve the goal of making the city clean. He appealed to the citizens to support the cause and take the ancient city to a higher pedestal in the national map. The city, the seat of ancient Tamil Sangam, should be on top of the Smart Cities Mission by 2017. Deputy Commissioner Shanthi, City Health Officer Yasodha Mani, senior councillors Jayapal, Muniandi and among others participated in the cleaning campaign.
