KOCHI: Though Kerala was declared as an open defecation-free state in November 2016, many panchayat and municipal areas in urban regions like Kochi still lack toilet facilities. Many residents in colonies in Eloor, Pathalam, Thoppumpady in Kochi Corporation and nearby areas still do not have individual toilets or even community toilets. Pathalam colony near Kalamassery lacks toilet facilities for a long time and the 21 families here have to depend on public toilets resulting in regular health issues, especially among women. “For long, we have been requesting the authorities to provide assistance for toilet construction in individual households. But they are ignoring our demand,” said Indira, a resident of the colony.
The situation is not that much different in the Santhome colony near Thoppumpady. Above 100 families are residing here but only two have proper sanitation facilities. “Most of the makeshift toilets here are open to the canal. Though politicians and civic authorities visited the place several times and promised that proper toilets would be constructed, but nothing has happened,” said Ambika Sunil, a resident. Most of the families do not have necessary documents to prove ownership of the land. Hence they are not even able to take a bank loan for constructing the facility.
In P&T colony located along the banks of the TP Canal, the situation is worse. Toilet waste is being directly dumped into the canal. There are 91 families living here without basic sanitation facilities. Meanwhile, sources at the District Suchitwa Mission told DC that there were several colonies and congested areas where toilet construction in individual households is impossible due to scarcity of land. “But, civic bodies can submit proposals for community toilets in those areas,” official said.
