JOIN USDecent toilet is a distant dream here
Muttur recently hosted Krishi Mela and instantly shot to fame. However, the Harijan Colony is even shadowed by this relative development.
Though several schemes have been announced and implemented by the government to end the embarrassing and unhealthy practice of defecating in open, there are no traces of them in Harijan Colony which has around 120 houses. In reality subsidies/incentives are provided by the government for construction of toilets in houses, schools, Anganwadi Centres and community toilets. Apart from this there are special schemes for village solid waste management for which funds are granted through Gram Panchayat.
The Colony, however, lacks even basic amenities. There is no scope for construction of toilets in the houses as they are closely located and lack empty space.
Polluted water
There is no cleanliness as the polluted water in the drains have turned black and continue to stagnate.
Cleanliness is also not maintained in and around drinking water sources. The base of the water tank in the Colony is surrounded by garbage creating unhealthy environment.
The worst is reserved for women in the colony. The women have to get up early in the morning and walk a certain distance either to a groove or plantation to answer nature’s call.
Though the people have urged the authorities concerned several times to construct community toilets at the colony it has fallen on the deaf ears. Munikrishna, a resident said that drains had been constructed unscientifically resulting in clogging of water and becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
He added that it is ages since water tank was cleaned.
We have no other option other than staging a dharna in front of the Mandal office for fulfiling our demands, said Gram Panchayat member Narayanaswamy.