Siraha: Irrespective of the announcement of an open defecation free district long back, Siraha has no public toilets at its district headquarters, causing sheer inconvenience and embarrassment to the public. There are several significant offices, including the District Administration Office, Land Reform and Land Revenue, District Court, and District Police Office, where citizens frequently seek various services. However, the absence of lavatories has not only caused utmost inconvenience but also utter shame.
According to National News Agency Nepal, those returning home after services at various government offices need the essential facility. Most afflicted by this are the women. The locals complained that Siraha municipality was ignoring the demand for constructing and managing public toilets for a long time. It has earned much disgrace, they added. The locals further vented ire that the local level spends a huge amount of money on infrastructure building every year, while the essential service to respond to nature’s call is egregiously ignored.
Member of Ward No 2 in Siraha municipality, Shambhu Sah, said, “I repeatedly demanded the establishment of a public toilet after I was elected people’s representatives. However, neither the mayor nor other officials paid heed to it.” Although the local level was made aware of this pressing need since the very first stint in 2074BS, it is yet to be materialized.
Pedestrians and service seekers at government offices in the district headquarters are in urgent need of lavatory facilities. A local youth leader, Bhogendra Saha, stated that a toilet is essential not only for the city’s cleanliness and beauty but also for human dignity. He expressed worry about why the municipality was turning a deaf ear to such urgency.
Similarly, Chairman of Ward No 22 in the municipality, Jibachh Narayan Jha, viewed, “It is shameful not to have a public toilet at the district headquarters itself.” He, however, said the forthcoming municipal assembly meeting would be resonated with the demand for such essential facilities. The locals further argued that the absence of a public toilet is also the absence of good governance, inclusive development, and the failure of the local level to address public concern.
Mayor Dr. Nawin Kumar Yadav also admitted the inconvenience caused to people for not having the essential facility for defecation. However, he informed that the construction of a public toilet was a priority. There is a long-term plan to build toilets at various public places under the urban development and cleanliness campaign. The toilet would be managed sustainably with close coordination among locals, people’s representatives, and concerned stakeholders, he added.