Despite its impressive performance in Swachh Survekshan 2023, the Tiruchi Corporation has faced criticism for the poor upkeep of toilets.
| Photo Credit: M. MOORTHY

The Tiruchi Corporation has taken steps to redevelop the public and community toilets in the city, with plans to engage self-help groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to maintain the facilities to improve sanitation and hygiene.

The Corporation has more than 320 public and community toilets in the city. The maintenance of about 20 toilets has been outsourced to NGOs.

Despite being certified as an ODF++ (open defecation-free) city in the national-level cleanliness survey, Swachh Survekshan 2023, Tiruchi Corporation faced criticism for the poor upkeep of toilets. As a solution, it has planned to rope in self-help groups and appoint Corporation workers to maintain the facilities. More NGOs are to be roped in to operate and maintain the public toilets in key areas, a senior official said.

Work on improving the infrastructure and maintenance of public toilets in the city has been taken up. Reconstruction of the toilets at Pattedar Street in Ariyamangalam at ₹8.80 lakh and maintenance and repair work at Kulathumedu at ₹2.65 lakh had been initiated by the civic body. Setting up borewells with water tanks to ensure round-the-clock water supply, and replacing the damaged urinals and washbasins in the sanitation complexes are being carried out.

Renovation work had been initiated at prime locations such as Gandhi Market, Central and Chathiram bus stands. Workers are appointed to monitor to prevent damage to the toilets, especially at night and officials were asked to oversee the maintenance of public toilets at bus stands, by cleaning and disinfecting them regularly.

High-pressure washer

Meanwhile, a high-pressure washer is being used to clean public and community toilets in Zone IV. The portable unit with a handgun will spray water and cleaning liquid at high pressure to remove stains and dirt, which is effective compared to manual cleaning.

It is said that these portable machines were used to clean more than 10 toilets a day. Similar machines were to be procured to clean public toilets in other zones.