MADURAI: The Madurai Municipal Corporation has reopened a toilet meant for the differently abled which remained locked in Mattuthavani integrated bus terminal for the past two years after being in use for a while. Meanwhile, corporation officials have also commenced maintenance works at toilets in other bus terminals. These toilets would be open in couple of days, a senior corporation official said.

On April 25, TOI had published a report headlined 'Differently- abled suffer from lack of toilet facilities'. The authorities swung into action soon after the publication of the story and initiated actions to open all exclusive toilets meant for differently-abled persons at bus terminals in Madurai city.

Though, the main bus terminals in Madurai city have toilets exclusively for the differently-abled, they remained closed, leaving the community in distress. Talking to TOI about the progress of work, R Nanthagopal, commissioner of Madurai Municipal Corporation, said "The issue was not brought to our notice initially. Now, we have asked our officials to pay special attention to improve the toilet facilities in all the important bus terminals. We have asked the officials to look into the issue seriously and set right the problems immediately," he said.

The toilet for the disabled in Mattuthavani integrated bus terminal was not only closed but also fenced. The commissioner said he has instructed officials to supervise the cleanliness and sanitation of the toilet. The officials have also been instructed to erect boards nearby the toilets emphasizing that no price is charged, he said. Maintenance works are pending in toilets at other bus terminals and they too would be opened in a couple of days. "The works at all the toilets at other bus terminals are expected to be completed in two days, he said.

"We are here to serve the public. The problems brought to our knowledge would be rectified immediately. Similarly, we need the public's support in keeping the toilets clean as the corporation cannot afford to appoint workers for each toilet in the city," he said. Appealing to the public, the commissioner said that non-handicapped should not use the toilet meant for the differently-abled. "Their misuse can heighten the sufferings of the disabled. The commuters should use the toilets properly and should contribute their part in keep the toilets clean," he said.