Over the past few weeks, the Corporation of Chennai has cracked the
whip on several anti-social elements who were found collecting tariff at
various free public toilets maintained by the civic body around the
city.

The action, following complaints from public about the
illegal fee collection, has been intensified since last week, after the
officials arrested a 23-year-old youth for collecting fee at a public
convenience on MC Road, Royapuram.

Officials, last week, conducted
surprise raids at public toilets in Corporation zones five, six, eight,
nine, 10 and 13 to verify the complaints.

During the raid, seven
persons, who were found fee at public toilets located in wards 59, 74,
100, 125, 136 and 170 of the Corporation, were arrested and remanded.

The Corporation maintains over 900 public toilets around the city which are available for use to the public free of cost.

The civic body has advised the public to refuse to pay for using them.

In
case, payment is demanded, the public can also register a complaint at
the Vigilance Department of the Corporation or at 1913.