Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120352370300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Salem

9 sanitary complexes to come up in Salem

Staff Reporter

SALEM: In an effort to create adequate public convenience facilities in the city, the civic body has taken up the construction of nine sanitary complexes under the Valmiki Ambedkar Awaz Yojna.

The construction of two complexes taken up in Ammapet zone has been completed, while the work is progressing at three other places.

The civic body could not take up the construction in four places because of disputes related to land acquisition.

The civic administration has directed its staff to identify alternative sites to take up the construction.

Officials said that each sanitary complex is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 6.25 lakh.

Of which, the government provides a subsidy of Rs. 2 lakh.

The two sanitary complexes, which were constructed, would be brought to public use shortly.

The Corporation had planned to handover the maintenance of these complexes to the community, officials added. Citizens, while asking the Corporation to construct similar complexes in more places in the city, wanted the civic body to take up the maintenance through its workforce.

A number of public convenience facilities in the city were discarded as neither the Corporation nor people in the area bothered to maintain it. Because of this toilet buildings at several places got damaged quickly, they said.