Visakhapatnam: With visitors and students facing a lot of inconvenience owing to inadequate loo facilities on the premises, Andhra University authorities have decided to set up bio-toilets at major locations on the campus. Except the academy and office buildings, there are no toilets on the varsity premises. As the varsity is spread over a vast area, public toilets at major junctions are acutely missed.
Some AU students said, “The toilets in some departments are locked to ensure that outsiders do not use them. In this scenario, visitors and students do not have any option, but to pee in the open.” The varsity is promoting cleanliness campaigns, but has given least attention to ensure infrastructure that will keep the varsity premises clean, they added. The security personnel warn students and visitors not to urinate in the open, but to no avail. Some people are seen waiting near the bushes to get a chance to relieve themselves. AU has public toilets at the south campus near the examination centre but, many are clueless about it.
According to sources, there are only 70 sanitary staff for the 56 departments, much lower than the requirement of 150 to maintain toilets in all the departments. In some departments, the HoD locks the toilets when not in use. AU Vice-Chancellor G. Nageswara Rao said a survey would be conducted to identify convenient places for setting up bio-toilets on the varsity premises. “We are planning to come up with bio-toilets in the current academic year,” Mr Nageswara rao said.
