Residents living in the trans-Hindon localities of Ghaziabad are raising their voices against a persistent civic problem: public toilets that are either shut down or maintained in an appallingly dirty condition. This situation persists despite clear instructions issued by Mayor Sunita Dayal two years ago mandating their cleanliness.
Activist Highlights Specific Failures
Social activist Dr. Sunil Vaidya brought the issue to the forefront by writing a formal letter to the Ghaziabad Municipal Commissioner. In his complaint, he detailed how public conveniences in several key areas are failing the public. The locations mentioned include GT Road, Link Road, Vaishali, and Maharajpur.
Dr. Vaidya emphasized that the current state of these facilities is a far cry from the objectives of the national Swachh Bharat Mission. He provided specific examples of neglect: the toilet on Station Road opposite GT Road metro pillar number 245 and another opposite Tata Steel on Link Road have remained closed for an extended period. Similarly, the toilet near the GDA Market in Vaishali Sector 2 is in a dilapidated and unusable state.
Broken Facilities and Leaking Urinals
The problem extends beyond just locked doors. Several urinals in the city are broken and have been left unrepaired. In Vaishali and Maharajpur, urinals have been constantly leaking from their roofs due to poor maintenance, creating further unsanitary conditions.
The urinal opposite Allahabad Bank in Vaishali Sector 1 has been non-functional for a long time. Another one, constructed next to a drain outside Ansal Plaza in Vaishali Sector 1, has been damaged for approximately eight months. Residents and activists have repeatedly reported these issues through the official Ghaziabad 311 app and to the concerned municipal departments, but no effective corrective action has been taken.
Residents Voice Their Frustration
The civic apathy is not limited to the areas highlighted by Dr. Vaidya. Other residents from different parts of the city have echoed similar complaints. Surendra Kumar, a resident of Rajendra Nagar, lamented the complete indifference of the civic body regarding the public toilet in his area. Vivek Tyagi from Sahibabad reported finding public toilets in his locality locked, denying access to those in need.
The collective grievance points to a systemic failure in maintaining basic urban sanitation infrastructure. While instructions were issued from the top, their implementation on the ground appears to be missing. The Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation's response to these latest complaints is still awaited.
