Suman Ghosh, Kharagpur
It is an extremely urgent issue-but surprisingly, even for that, one has to make demands. Even then, those demands are not fulfilled. Inevitably, one has to answer nature's call on roads and streets, in hidden corners and secluded places!
Yes indeed, we are talking about toilets. There is much fanfare about 'Swachh Bharat Mission' or 'Mission Nirmal Bangla'. Crores of rupees are allocated. Several more crores for publicity. Even then, the picture of 'cleanliness' or the daily chronicle of suffering in West Midnapore district has not changed much.
Be it villages or cities, one question is heard repeatedly every day— "Brother, can you tell me where I can find a toilet?" The answer to that seemingly innocent question is, "Go a little ahead behind that shop. Manage there. There are no toilets in this area."
And where toilets do exist? Sufferers say, "Even hell is probably much better than those toilets. The filth and stench make one feel like vomiting." In markets, bus stops, libraries— the picture is more or less the same almost everywhere!
However, the administration claims that this situation is about to improve somewhat. The West Midnapore District Panchayat has taken the initiative to build around 70 community sanitary complexes in the district. Toilets and water facilities will be constructed in places where people gather. Although district residents claim that this number is negligible compared to the need. According to administrative sources, alongside the district panchayat, panchayat samitis in some places, backward class welfare departments in others, and MLA funds in yet other places are also working on constructing such community toilets. In this way, toilets will gradually be built everywhere.
Recently, such a toilet has been built at the Debra bus stand. Yet, there was no toilet in such an important area. While men could manage by going to some secluded spot, women faced problems. Often, they had to go to a resident's house and request them. Many would get annoyed. Many others, understanding the situation, would kindly allow.
Regular commuter Chandrima Pal says, "I work in a private organisation. I have to commute daily. Due to the absence of toilets, I cannot describe how many times I have faced difficult situations. The government should look into this matter quickly. It is extremely urgent to have toilets in places like markets and bus stops. If necessary, let there be pay-and-use toilets. I am willing to pay and use them."
Debra resident Manasi Roy says, "Many people have come to our house requesting to use the toilet. Understanding the problem, I couldn't refuse anyone. But we are also busy at times. Besides, how can we suddenly trust people! There could be bad intentions in the name of using toilets."
However, the problem has been solved with the recent construction of toilets. Now the district panchayat has started construction work for toilets in around 70 places, including Shriram Nagar Market Complex in Daspur-2 block, Sonakhali Market, Pingla's Rampura Primary School, Chandkuri bus stand in Sabang, Rajnagar East Market in Daspur-1 block, and Jhankra Market Complex in Chandrakona-2 block. The cost for each toilet is estimated to be around five and a half lakhs to around nine and a half lakhs rupees.
West Midnapore District Panchayat Chairperson Pratibharani Maiti says, "Several toilet construction works have already been completed. Work is ongoing in other areas as well. The target is to complete all work within this year."
