The Times of India              03.10.2013 

Namma toilets in Amma Mandapam get thumbs-up

TRICHY: The 'namma toilet' concept, which was launched few months back near the Amma Mandapam in the city, has become a hit among the devotees visiting the Srirangam temple since it is located en route to the temple. The public are now urging the administration to install more such toilets across the city.

With the recent announcement of the Tamil Nadu government to construct more such public toilets, people are hoping that various parts of the city could soon witness 'namma toilets' that are maintained on a build-operate-transfer-basis. The 'namma toilet' in Amma Mandapam, which is being maintained by two members of a private bank, has two bathrooms and toilet facilities, exclusively for men and women. It is utilised by at least 500 people per day free of charge.

Chandrasekar from Andhra Pradesh, who had come on a tour to the city, said in most of the cities using public toilets is a harrowing experience as doors and floors of the toilet would be slippery. "The government initiative to setup such toilets is a good move and helps tourists like us," he added.

According to officials, many people are now urging the administration to start a page on social networking site, Facebook. According to a corporation official, the system was announced here on a trial basis, along with Ooty and Tambaram in Chennai. The district had also given proposals to the government to set up namma toilets at various locations for which the government recently announced. However, financial allocation and numbers of toilets sanctioned for the district is still not known.

He further said the entire model was brought up after several consultations with some world-class agencies, looking at the accessibility for all types of users - men, women, children, elderly and differently-abled.