Public toilets in Bhubaneswar parks

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has formulated a proposal to construct public toilets in the 24 parks in the city.

 A majority of the parks does not have public toilets to cater to the public need. The parks are frequented by the denizens on a regular basis and the need for public toilets has been felt since long. “We have been thinking about this for quite sometime. It is now in the proposal stage, said a senior BMC official.

 The parks are jointly maintained by the BMC and the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) across the city.

In the first year, BMC has to undertake 90 per cent of the maintenance and the RWAs 10 per cent. In the second year, the BMC undertakes 75 per cent and RWAs 25 per cent. Similarly in the fourth year, BMC has 25 per cent share of maintenance while RWAs bear 75 per cent.

 “Wherever the RWAs are active, those parks are always well maintained. The rest are not in good condition.

 The Housing and Urban Development Department Secretary himself has suggested construction of toilets in the parks,” said the BMC official.

There has been a provision for one urinal each for males and the females. The BMC officials are hopeful that the proposal will be approved soon.