One of the appalling aspects observed in the city is the lack of toilets in key locations. As a result, people visiting the city, including labourers, face difficulties. On the other hand, even residents of the city are suffering from a shortage of toilets.
The population under Chamarajanagar Municipal Corporation (CMC) limits is about 70,000, with 11,000 families.
There are 15 declared slums and nine slums identified by the government. In slums, there are 5,368 families, living under poor conditions, without basic facilities.
In a survey conducted by a non-government organisation in 2012, for a sanitation project of the Union government, 50 per cent of the houses under CMC limits did not have toilets. Even today, a large section of people defecate in the open. However, no steps have been taken by the CMC to either create awareness about the ills of open defecation or to construct toilets for the families.
Land problem
Although a few families have realised the need for toilets and are willing to construct them, most of them have little or no land for the purpose.
Some localities have toilet complexes, but, there are no septic tanks.
While personal toilets are a distant dream for 50 per cent of the population, public toilets are in bad shape. The condition of toilets near KSRTC bus-stand, private bus-stand, Santemarahalli Circle and police station, leaves a lot to be desired.
“The officials and elected representatives are not concerned about the health of the residents. The CMC should take steps to create awareness about toilets and also construct toilet complexes wherever necessary,” said Lokesh, a resident.
