Has ‘Namma Toilet’ initiative gone down the drain?

The Namma Toilet complex set up near the SETC bus bay of the Central Bus Stand lies in shambles. The toilets installed in the bus stand area over five years ago were supposed to provide ‘toilets for a

The Namma Toilet complex set up near the SETC bus bay of the Central Bus Stand lies in shambles. The toilets installed in the bus stand area over five years ago were supposed to provide ‘toilets for all’, a solution to open urination.

Namma Toilets, an initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission saw 17 pre-fabricated structures installed at Srirangam, Ariyamangalam and Ponmalai zones of the Tiruchi Corporation. Its special features- solar-powered lights, modular designs, quality fittings and hassle-free usage attracted users. The project claims to eliminate open defecation, and emerge as an environment-friendly initiative that will ensure adequate water supply and use solar panels for lighting. However, the initiative has been rendered useless in various parts of the city, much like the public toilets it aimed to replace.