Two user-friendly toilets constructed for differently-abled persons have not been opened though constructed 10 months ago.

City Municipal Corporation has constructed 11 such toilets at various locations in the city, including Anna Park, Old Bus stand, at a cost of Rs. 3.30 lakh each.

But the toilets at New Bus Stand and near the Hasthampatti water tank were yet to be opened . Designed as per the guidelines provided by the National Centre for Accessible Environment, the toilets, constructed under the Part II Scheme for 2011-12, served no use as the differently-abled persons were put to hardship as no such facility were available for them at these two places.

These toilets presently served as a place for anti-social elements during night hours and a place for dumping garbage.

Corporation officials said that water closet was damaged by miscreants and hence the toilets were closed.

“There were no separate scavengers for the toilets and no user fee was collected”, the officials added.

But shopkeepers at the bus stand said that the toilets were not yet opened since completion of work and was lying without any use.

“Non-usage of toilets shows how funds could be wasted”, they added.

Maintenance

Corporation Commissioner M. Ashokan told The Hindu that steps would be taken to open the two toilets at the earliest and would be maintained properly.