Jamshedpur: A city that is desperately eyeing a top-10 rank in the ongoing pan-India sanitation survey seems to have overlooked a clear and present hurdle.
The solitary public toilet complex on the ground floor of the three-storey district collectorate building in Sakchi is a nasty sight every morning with its filthy urinals and washbasins, damaged water taps, stained walls and unused floor tiles blocking the approach.
The Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC) area was ranked a dismal 64 in the 2017 survey and chief minister Raghubar Das, who represents the Jamshedpur East Assembly constituency, asked the civic authorities to pull up their socks for a coveted rank.
Yet, a lot remains undone in the run-up to the field inspection expected later this month.
Sadan Thakur, a child rights activist and frequent visitor to the collectorate, rued that no one bothered to fix the mess because IAS officers had exclusive and attached restrooms.
"The toilets on the ground floor are for the common man, which is sometimes used by low-rung staff too. Hence, no one wants to maintain it. The stench is killing. It is a depot of infection. We don't use it unless absolutely urgent," Thakur voiced mass sentiments.
Ironically, the collectorate building recently witnessed a major overhaul at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 crore. Refurbished walls and new parking sheds have come up, and landscaping steals the show, but the public lavatory complex - comprising two toilets each for men and women - remains neglected as ever.
Diwakar Murmu, a tribal activist from Karandih who visited the collectorate on Tuesday, echoed Thakur.
" Majburi ho toh toilet jaate hain. Bahut ganda rehta hai (We use the toilet only when it is urgent. The toilet is too dirty otherwise)," Murmu said, adding that the nearest public lavatory managed by Sulabh Sauchalay was near the Jubilee Park gate, around 80 metres from the collectorate.
The corridors of power, which host several key offices including that of the deputy commissioner, additional deputy commissioners, deputy development commissioner, district welfare officer, district rural development authorities, additional district magistrate (law and order), district social welfare unit and district information officer, witnesses a daily footfall of around 500.
East Singhbhum nazarat deputy commissioner David Balihar admitted the eyesore and announced renovation plans. "We will ask the contractor who refurbished the building to fix the public toilets at the earliest. Daily cleaning will also be done," he promised.
What steps showld be taken to maintain of public toilets? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com
