Highlights
- SDMC proposes to make public toilets in south Delhi slums available 24x7
- As of now, the toilets are operational in two shifts, 7AM-2PM and 2PM-10PM
- The toilets that come under DUSIB runs its facility round-the-clock
New Delhi: On January 3, 2018, the South Delhi civic body proposed to make public toilets in slum areas accessible for 24 hours. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) said that their proposal is in line to the 24×7 public convenience services run by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). Reading from a resolution passed in the house, SDMC House Leader Shikha Rai confirmed the news and said that the proposal now awaits municipal commissioner’s approval.
The toilets that come under DUSIB runs its facility round-the-clock and SDMC thought of walking on a similar path, thus proposed to keep toilet open at night also.
The resolution issued by the SDMC reads,
Just like the toilets under DUSIB, the toilets under SDMC that used to be opened from 7AM in the morning to 2PM and 2PM to 10PM at night, will now be opened from 10PM to 7AM (next day), so that these toilets can be used 24 hours.
The resolution also stated that “The onus of keeping areas clean that come under the jurisdiction of SDMC lies on each and every citizen.”
Explaining the reason behind this noble move, Ms Rai said,
Since defecating in the open is considered as a crime. And, because the toilets run by SDMC are operational only from 7AM to 2PM and 2PM to 10PM, people are forced to answer nature’s call in the open.
Another SDMC official consider it as one of the good moves and says,
As of now, public toilets are operational in two shifts because of which people living in slum areas face a lot of problem, especially women. Late night, people are constrained to relieve themselves in open. It is because of that only the house proposed to make public toilets accessible at night as well. I think it is a good move and will help SDMC strengthen its ODF tag.
Last year on Rashtriya Swachhta Diwas i.e., October 2, 2017, Mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat declared all 104 wards of the SDMC as free from open defecation. She was speaking at a function to mark the culmination of fortnight-long ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign. She not only encouraged people to make use of toilets constructed by SDMC, but also instructed the officers concerned to ensure the functionality and upkeep of the toilets.
SDMC has provided one toilet each within a distance of 500 metre as per the norms of construction of toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Also Read: North Delhi Municipal Corporation Kick-Starts 2018 By Declaring Its 104 Wards Open Defecation Free
