Guwahati: Locked, broken, missing; city’s public toilets remain in disrepair

Staff reporter

Guwahati: Despite repeated assurances from civic authorities, Guwahati continues to grapple with a critical gap in urban sanitation—non-functional, inaccessible, or poorly maintained public toilets. For residents, vendors, and visitors, the struggle to find usable facilities has become a daily challenge, especially during evening and night hours.

Public toilets, essential to any city’s infrastructure, are either locked, broken, or simply missing in several key locations across Guwahati. Areas such as Fancy Bazaar, major transport hubs, and roadside stretches often lack working toilets, leaving citizens frustrated and helpless.

“New toilets were built in Phool Gali, but when I tried to use one in the afternoon, it was locked,” said a visitor to Fancy Bazaar. “What’s the point of building them if they’re shut when people need them?”

Local vendors in the area shared similar concerns. “We spend long hours here, and a functional toilet is a basic necessity,” said one vendor. “Even when new ones are constructed, they fall into disrepair due to poor maintenance.”

The problem extends across sectors. Field workers, including those employed in private and public services, face similar predicaments. Biraj Das, a private employee, recounted his experience near Khanapara said, “The public toilet under the flyover was locked. Does it shut down just because one person isn’t available? These facilities need to be accessible round the clock.”

A female traffic police officer posted at a busy junction said, “As a woman, it’s extremely difficult when there are no usable public toilets. It affects our health, safety, and dignity.”

The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), tasked with managing sanitation infrastructure, attributes many issues to theft and vandalism. A senior GMC official said, “Many toilets are operated by NGOs and private agencies. Fixtures like taps and flush tanks are frequently stolen, and despite regular repairs, damage recurs.”

However, residents argue the core issue lies in lack of accountability and consistent oversight. “Functional doesn’t mean accessible,” said a commuter. “If doors are locked or the interiors are filthy, they can’t be considered operational.” The absence of reliable sanitation facilities raises serious public health and safety concerns—particularly for women, senior citizens, children, and night-shift workers.

 Also Read: Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania Inaugurates New Public Toilet in City

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