Asked why doors, water, power are missing after mid-day report, babus pass the buck
Nine squat toilets at Sant Jalaram Bapu Nagar chawl in Vasai East are located close to the railway tracks. Pic/Hanif Patel
A week after mid-day highlighted the ordeal of women of Sant Jalaram Bapu Nagar chawl in Vasai East who are forced to relieve themselves in the open, civic officials are yet to install iron doors and supply water and power to nine squat toilets there. When contacted, Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) officials passed the buck. “Please contact the additional municipal commissioner,” civic chief Anil Kumar Pawar told mid-day.
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Additional Municipal Commissioner Ajinkya Bagade, in turn, claimed that the doors had been installed at all the squat toilets. But when mid-day asked for the photographs of them, he said, “The doors are yet to be installed, but we have given a written complaint to the police for necessary action.”
Asked if an FIR had been registered, the official said, “I am not sure as the issue is being overseen by the executive engineer. You may please contact him.” He also said that as the Code of Conduct was in force, officials couldn’t float a tender to provide water and electricity to the toilets. “It will take at least 10 to 15 days more.”
Also read: IN PHOTOS: 'Toilets with no doors, no water, no electricity'
Executive Engineer Rajendra Lad said, “We had installed toilet doors in June but somebody broke and stole them. We submitted a one-page complaint letter to the Manikpur police on January 7 (the day mid-day broke the story). I don’t know if the FIR has been registered or not.” “...iron gates were supposed to be installed yesterday, but somehow it got delayed. I have asked my colleague Eknath Thakre to get them installed and send me the photos. I will send you the photos once they are installed,” Lad said. Regarding water, he said, “I have also asked Thakre to fix the water and electricity issues soon too. The corroded iron railing will also be fixed.”
Sampat Patil, senior inspector of the Manikpur police station, confirmed that a complaint was submitted by a VVCMC official on January 7.
“The application was given to a beat officer for enquiry and necessary action,” said Patil, who did not explain why there was a delay and when the FIR would be registered.
Local resident Guruvachan Kannaujia said, “The toilets are located close to the railway tracks. Whenever a train slows down, passengers whistle, pass lewd comments and make indecent gestures. This is beyond our tolerance level. How can women go to squat toilets that do not have doors? We have complained repeatedly to the local politicians, the former corporator and the civic body, but no action has been taken.”
“Corroded iron railings in the vicinity pose a threat to human life as they move with the breeze. There is a huge drain into which children can fall if they lean against these railings,” Kannaujia said.
Resident Manju Anil Chakhalya said, “Who makes toilets with no water connection? How will one clean the mess? The municipal corporation should think about poor residents, too. This toilet was constructed around 10 years ago, but they have not provided a water connection yet.”
Sheetal Goraswa, another resident, said, “There was a power connection, but the wires and bulbs have been stolen. We feel scared to go to the toilet at night. During the day we can’t think of squatting in the toilet. The government is not heeding our plea. Even after the story was published, the municipal corporation is not doing anything. We demand relief.”
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