Plans afoot to construct 240 toilet units across Kochi

Kochi: The city is set to witness a spurt in public toilet construction at a total cost of 7.7 crore to construct 240 units.

The plan is to construct 200 units of public toilets and 40 community toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). Of the total cost, SBM will allocate Rs 5 crore, while the remaining funds will need to be mobilised by Kochi corporation .

"For the public toilets, we have earmarked funds for construction. This amount can be pooled with the funds SBM will allocate. Corporate social responsibility funds of PSUs like BPCL Kochi refinery can also be utilised," said T K Ashraf, chairman, health standing committee, Kochi corporation.

"The project, costing a total of Rs 3 crore at Rs 1.5 lakh per unit for 200 public toilets, will receive SBM assistance of Rs 1.65 crore. The corporation will need to find the remaining Rs 1.35 crore. The corporation will soon devise plans for toilet construction in accordance with SBM guidelines," he said.

Similar projects designed earlier are still in cold storage. Around two years ago, corporation roped in a private firm to set up public toilets in different parts of the city. But it still remains on paper. "The private firm didn't show interest in the project after we awarded the work to it," Asharaf said.

Again, a couple of months ago, corporation introduced a new firm to set up public toilets in the city along with cafeteria. The corporation will have to provide additional land to the firm to erect billboards so that it can generate advertisement income to operate the toilets in a hygienic manner.

"Identifying 75 cents of land in various parts of the city for the public toilets and cafeteria is not easy. This is a huge burden. Moreover, the facility's operation and revenue collection will rest with the private firm for next 20 years. So, corporation is yet to take a call on the project," Asharaf said.

Meanwhile, due to the apathy by authorities, many existing public toilets in the city remain dysfunctional. "In Vyttila, a public toilet with two units remains closed for past five years. The public toilet attached to corporation's zonal office was opened for the public for a brief period around one-and-a-half years ago. After one month, it ceased to operate. It has been six months since authorities erected a container toilet near the bus stop at Vyttila towards Aluva side. It couldn't be opened as water and electricity connections are yet to be provided," said RTI activist T N Prathapan.

"Similar is the case with a public toilet attached to ‘Take a Break' project near Ernakulam boat jetty. The toilet has been defunct for past several months due to septic tank-related issues. District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) is yet to rectify it," he added.