Samini Bibi, a 58-year-old traffic policewoman is fazed by very little in the course of her work, from heavy traffic to accidents to unruly rallies. But, ask her why she doesn't bring a water bottle to work, she blushes.
"There are no ladies' toilets nearby," the veteran policewoman said. "So, I drink less water during my work hours. I can't knock on the doors of shops or homes, can I?"
As World Toilet Day observed annually on November 19 falls on Thursday, Ranchi women are united in their concern for the paucity of female public urinals.
The picture is undoubtedly bleak. Ranchi Municipal Corporation has set up 11 urinals for men in key centres such as Albert Ekka Chowk, Ratu Road, near St Xavier's College on Purulia Road, Kokar Chowk, Karamtoli Chowk, but none for women.
Sulabh Sauchalay Complex has 21 lavatories across the city for men and women, again at important centres such as Sarjana Chowk, Albert Ekka Chowk, Argora Chowk, Ratu Road, Lake Road and so on. But, most women said these facilities were too unhygienic and unsafe to use.
For most women out on the roads for errands or commuting, a clean and safe public loo in capital Ranchi is unheard of even after 15 years of Jharkhand's formation.
A young college girl, who declined revealing her name, said the Sulabh toilets for ladies were "horribly dirty, without water".
"This apart, hordes of men sit on the approach, gawking at women. Many times the door is broken or the latch doesn't work. Tell me, which girl or woman would dare go to use such toilets?"
Jyoti Gupta (34), homemaker and resident of Kanke Road, agreed that visiting a Sulabh was an "extreme measure". "I had to visit Sulabh Sauchalaya near Albert Ekka Chow today (Wednesday), but it was so dirty. I appeal to RMC to set up women's loos in the city maintained and guarded by women."
Anvita Shrivastawa (46), also a Kanke Road homemaker, rued authorities had no time to address "a basic need of women".
Most women don't drink enough water if they have to be out. "I know it's bad for my health," said elderly policewoman Bibi.
In her age bracket, homemaker Mamta Roy (55), a resident of Sector II, HEC in Dhurwa, added: "I have visited Sulabh at Albert Ekka Chowk and Sarjana Chowk, but don't remind me how bad it was. It's better not to venture out of home at all."
Only few swanky shops and malls like Big Shop, JG High Street, Spring City Mall have clean women's loos.
Roshni Praween, a staff at Big Shop, GEL Church Complex, said she was lucky that her workplace had good toilet facilities. "My friends who work as sales assistants at small shops face enormous difficulties as they are forced to hunt for public loos or not attend nature's call at all."
Asked, RMC public relations officer Naresh Sinha claimed they had urinals for women near RIMS and St Xavier's College, though The Telegraph team did not find any women's lavatory run by the civic body.
On plans to construct public lavatories for women, Sinha said: "Where is the place to construct female toilets? But, we have to do something."
