Flash protest held by slum dwellers for public toilet

This has become evident when the residents of All India Radio Nagar, a slum settlement, in Tiruvottiyur staged a flash protest at Tiruvottiyur zonal office on Wednesday demanding a public toilet. Around 30 women took part in the protest.

“There are around 100 families in the slum but only 30 families have toilets in their houses. We have been demanding toilet facilities for more than a year in vain,” S Bhakiyam, North Chennai district secretary, All India Democratic Women’s Association said.

A women resident, on the condition of anonymity, said that many women are forced to relieve themselves on a nearby railway track. “Men from nearby areas pose a threat to the women going to the railway track. They throw stones at them and take pictures using their mobile phones,” another resident said.

Bhakiyam added that even though the civic body provides a part of funds to construct toilets in houses, many residents are too poor to spend money to build toilets. The government should provide the entire expense to construct toilets. “For the interim, the slum needs a public toilet.”

Executive engineer of Tiruvottiyur zone said the Corporation has promised to build a public toilet. “However, we could not find a suitable place. We will prepare an estimate and find a place soon,” he added.