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.