No users despite setting up at crowded places in city

Mysore/Mysuru: Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is mulling shifting of e-toilets to Government Offices in the wake of theft of accessories inside toilets.

Under 14th Finance Scheme, the MCC had installed e-toilets at various locations at a cost of Rs. 7 lakh each. In all, the Corporation had spent Rs.1.61 crore on this project with a view to help people to answer nature call by using Rs. 5 coin. These were prominently established near places where the footfall was more including Central Business District (CBD). Mysuru, being an important destination, attracts lakhs of tourists every year. With no public toilets for the visiting public, the MCC had decided to set up e-toilets so that they can relieve themselves by inserting Rs. 5 coin.

Unfortunately, there are no takers for these e-toilets may be due to cost factor or hygiene. At many places, miscreants have taken away the pipe, taps and other accessories inside these toilets due to absence of watch and ward. Many of them were not in a usable state.

No response

The MCC had invited tender twice for maintenance of e-toilets but none came forward. No one has responded to Rs. 24 lakh tender floated by the Corporation. Because of this reason, e-toilets built for the citizen’s benefit, were not being used. Costly instruments, coin boxes and damaging parts are happening unabated. Maintenance is not required if it is used regularly, opined M.C. Srinivas, Executive Engineer, UGD Section, MCC.

Meanwhile, Corporator Pramila Bharath said officials are not maintaining e-toilets despite bringing to their notice several times. Despite repair of two e-toilets on D. Devaraj Urs Road twice, it is not being used.  “I don’t know for whose prestige it has been established on this road. What’s the use if it is not helpful for citizens”, she added.

“We established e-toilets in crowded places for the benefit of general public. But, accessories inside toilet are being stolen frequently. To ensure the safety of those toilets, plans are afoot to shift them to the Government Offices. A final decision will be taken soon.”— MCC Commissioner Gurudatta Hegde