To address the need for clean toilets along the state's major highways and in cities, the Punjab tourism department has decided to construct hundreds of public toilets in collaboration with Sulabh International. As part of the project, toilets will be built in Ludhiana, Patiala, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Bathinda.
The municipal authorities of these cities have been asked to submit a list of strategic points where the toilets should be constructed. Along the major highways, toilet blocks will be constructed adjoining Milkfed booths, which stock Verka products and are popular among motorists. Following a request from the department, Milkfed has submitted a list of booths where toilets should be constructed.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Punjab Principal Secretary for Tourism Geetika Kalha said the project was being financed by the Centre, which has given a grant of Rs 8 crore to the department for the purpose. The tourism department will give funds to Sulabh International for constructing these toilet blocks. Once the toilets are constructed, the department will not pay the NGO for their maintenance. They will be managed by Sulabh International, which will take nominal charges from users.
Sulabh International Honorary Chairman for Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh A K Singh, told The Indian Express that the NGO has discussed the models of the toilet blocks with the tourism department. "At places where the number of users is likely to be high, we have suggested that the toilet block can be accompanied by a souvenir booth, an ATM, a shoe-shining machine etc," said Singh.
"In addition, there will be provisions for display of advertisement boards at such blocks. The booth can be given on lease and the total revenue generated from the toilet blocks be shared between the NGO and the agency which has given us the space, like the municipal corporation or Milkfed," he explained.
At points where the number of users is not likely to be high, only the basic toilet block will be made. There will be provisions for clean drinking water at all these blocks. Singh informed that the construction of these blocks is likely to begin by November.
The Union government has expressed concern about the lack of clean public toilet facilities in the country's major cities and along highway, which cause problems for the general public as well as tourists. Sources said a major cause of embarrassment to the government was an announcement made in the bus coming to Punjab from Pakistan. It is reported that while the bus was still in Pakistan, the passengers were told to go and use toilet facilities at the bus stop "since the toilets in India are very filthy".
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