Shortage of public toilets in city

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, March 2: On a day when two state ministers launched the campaign “Come and Join Hands in keeping our City Clean - Unity is Strength” at Bara Bazar Parking lot, Shillong, they ostensibly forgot that there is no visible basic amenities in and around the area that has the highest record of daily commuters in the entire Meghalaya.

State Home Minister and local MLA Roshan Warjri and Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh were present at the function initiated by North Shillong Welfare Development Society.

Virtual exhortations to help the endeavour of the campaign is an accepted mantra, but what about the needed amenities to be part of the efforts, quipped a resident of a nearby area while suggesting The Sentinel to carry out a persol survey.

From Garikha point to Mawlonghat, there is only public toilet, not enough to even meet a fraction of the desired need of the innumerable people who thronged to Lewduh (barabazar), Lew Mawlong and Mothphran and GS Road -the passageways to Police bazaar.

Till few months ago, there were two public toilets in Mothphran but they were removed by the urban authorities to decongest the area. The scramble to ease oneself is at the sole public toilet near Mawlonghat. This is also located at the fringe of Mawlonghat, a place dumped with garbages overflowing from pathetically maged Lewduh. Lewduh (known as a sacred market) has been a sole polluter to entire stretch due to the miserable magement of the Syiem (Chief) of Mylliem. Even as the Syiem governs the market with huge daily and accounted revenue, little was spoken by the two Ministers on his role to make the campaign practical.  

Banking on unity is strength, Roshan Warjri highlighted the importance of cleanliness and how it can affect the well being of the people. She called upon one and all to work together and play a part in keeping the town clean.

Addressing the gathering, Ampareen Lyngdoh lauded the sweepers for their dedicated service and stressed on the importance of public support in order to make the mission a successful one.