Karnataka

Public money goes down the drain in Kolar

No takers: A closed public toilet in Kolar.

KOLAR: About half a dozen public toilets, constructed on the lines of Sulabh Shouchalaya model, in Kolar are not being used. Constructed at a cost of about Rs. 12 lakh, with grants from the Second Finance Commission, the Sulabh toilets and bathrooms came up at Sarvajna Park, Sri Narasimha Raja Hospital, Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Yard, Brindavan Circle, near Hindu crematorium and at Court Circle.

The Karnataka Land Army Corporation had built them under Nirmal Kolar project of Kolar City Municipal Council.

The purpose behind constructing them has not been met since most of them are closed despite the inauguration by Union Minister K.H. Muniyappa and MLA Varthur Prakash.

Paradoxically, the surroundings of these public toilets and bathrooms have become unhygienic as people relieve themselves there.

The “pay and use” norm is said to be the main reason behind the toilets lying idle.

A notice pasted at the facilities says that Re. 1 has to be paid for using urinals and Rs. 3 for the toilet.

As the system is new to the town, the people are yet to get accustomed to it, it is learnt. According to Kolar City Municipal Council president Nazir Ahmad, people need not pay for using urinals and the toilet charges have been fixed at Rs. 2. Bathroom charge is Rs. 5, he said. Asked about the reason for the toilets remaining closed for a long time, Mr. Nazir said that the city municipal council had adopted a resolution for calling tenders for their maintenance.

“Once the tender process is over, they will be thrown open to the public,” he said.

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