The Times of India               07.12.2013

'Lost' public toilets to be singled out

HUBLI: The Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has taken the first step towards reclaiming public toilets lost to encroachers in the twin cities by initiating a survey.

According to HDMC's records, 96 public toilets were built here over several decades, but many were slowly encroached upon.

Take the case of the ones near Deccan, Shringar and Ajanta theatres, as well as on Koppikar Road, Coen Road and CBT. They have allegedly been taken over builders, but no action has been taken against them.

To get a clearer picture of this, the HDMC has now begun a survey on the number and condition of public toilets in the twin cities.

S H Naregal, a special officer at HDMC, explains that the authorities have been making detailed reports on existing public toilets. "Besides, we are conducting a survey of public toilets that have been encroached upon. Once we complete it, we will serve notices to the encroachers."

D Govindrao, social activist and president of Kannada Para Mahamandal, claims, "In Hubli, 22 public toilets in market areas were encroached upon by builders, which has caused much inconvenience to the public."

He alleges that HDMC officials are hand in glove with such builders. "If the civic body fails to remove the encroachments, we will move court against it."

Some organizations in the city had recently staged a protest against the HDMC for not taking action against encroachers, and demanded additional public toilets in market and residential areas.

TOI had last week highlighted the shortage of well-maintained public toilets in the twin cities.