The Hindu 20.11.2013
More public toilets to be handed over to community user groups
The Tiruchirapalli City Corporation is taking steps to hand over more public toilets to community user groups for maintenance as the model already implemented in the city has been successful, said Corporation Commissioner V.P. Thandapani here on Tuesday.
Of the 383 public toilets in the city, about 137 are being maintained by community user groups facilitated and supported by voluntary organisations such as Gramalaya, SCOPE, and SEVAI. The Alaigal women’s group promoted by the Gramalaya was maintaining about 67 toilets and the rest are being maintained by groups supported by SCOPE and SEVAI. The Tiruchi model has been appreciated at the national level, Mr. Thandapani said speaking at a meeting at the Corporation organised in connection with the World Toilet Day on Tuesday.
Mr. Thandapani said posters and pamphlets on the importance of usage and proper maintenance of toilets were sent to all 76 Corporation and private schools in the city. Schools were also asked to administer a pledge to students affirming their commitment to the use and maintenance of toilets on the occasion of World Toilets Day.
Mayor A. Jaya, who presented prizes to 12 best performing women’s user groups for maintenance of public toilets in the city, pointed out that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has taken up an initiative to make the State open-defecation free by 2015. The civic body was working towards ridding the city off open defecation.
Representatives of voluntary organisations and representatives women’s user groups attended the meeting.
