Chennai: Water inundation owing to recent floods has forced many residents living near slum areas adjacent to railway tracks use track corners for attending calls of nature. “We need a long-term approach to solve the problem of open air defecation, said Aavadi Ganesan, a social activist. “When most of the slums lack basic amenities like toilets, we need to focus on providing them the facility then and there and educating them on hazards of open air defecation.”
While defecating in the open is common on any other day, the situation has worsened after the rains. The number using track corners has increased two-fold. Passengers travelling by train immediately after restoration of services have said many slum dwellers were also relaxing on the railway tracks.
Railway personnel at Saidapet station agreed there was an increase in open air defecation by the side of railway tracks for the past two weeks. An official attached to the Kodambakkam station said most slums adjacent to the tracks lack toilet facilities which perhaps compels people to misuse the railway area.
“ Open air defecation is found near Basin Bridge, Perambur, Villivakkam and Ambattur stations for the past few days,” said Mohanan, an express train driver. The menace is prevalent at Manali, Athipattu and Ennore stations also, according to railway sources.
Meanwhile, railway medical officials maintained that all steps are being taken to control the menace by conducting awareness programmes on the hazards of open air defecation. Sundaravadivelu, a doctor, said defecation in the open could cause infections through worms on a normal day. During rain, it could lead to water-borne diseases such as typhoid.
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