Nepalgunj, Mar. 12 : Most of the public toilets constructed in various locations in Nepalgunj are in poor condition due to inadequate maintenance and management.

During a monitoring carried-out by stakeholders, including representatives from Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City, the majority of public toilets were found to be in poor condition.

Public toilets have been built at 11 different locations in Nepalgunj to facilitate the general public. However, after granting the operation contract, the Sub-metropolitan City has neglected monitoring and supervision, resulting in the deterioration of these facilities. 

Similarly, monitoring of public toilets has also been conducted in the Nepal-India border area of Nepalgunj, including Jamunaha border, Jaispur Chowk of Ward No. 6, Bheri Hospital of Ward No. 10, Masumandi of Ward No. 9, Dhambojhi of Ward No. 12, and Ranjha Chowk of Ward No. 20.

The public toilets at Bheri Hospital, Masumandi, and Dhambojhi are in good condition whereas public toilets in other locations are in poor condition, requiring repairs, and are not accessible to people with disabilities.

Samir Pratap Singh, Chairman of Ward No. 6 and the coordinator of the Environment and Disaster Management Committee said that weaknesses were found in many places during the monitoring. He said that necessary action would be taken against the contractor after the completion of the study. 

The Gairuwa Rural Awakening Association in Bardiya has been consistently working to ensure cleanliness and hygiene in the public toilets of Nepalgunj. Recently, they have undertaken renovations of the toilets at Bheri Hospital and the Cold Store Mandi.

Abdul Ghaffar Shesh, the programme coordinator of Geruwa, said that the toilet repairs were conducted with the assistance of SNV Nepal.

Executive member of Sub-metropolitan City Basanta Kanaujia, Bina Thapa, Mohammad Muzammil Hussain, environmental engineer Prakash DC and journalists participated in the monitoring of public toilets across the district.