Only three toilets for disabled in Karnal

Parveen Arora

There is shortage of public conveniences for differently abled persons (there are only three toilets) in Karnal city. The fact has come to light in reply to an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by Rajesh Sharma, a resident of Karnal city, who sought a list of public toilets for differently abled persons. Besides, he also sought the details of money spent on the toilets in the city after 2014 and the rules for the construction of toilets for such persons.

The Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) in its reply has admitted that there are only three toilets for such persons — two at Karan Taal and one at the railway station. The Tribune team inspected these toilets and found that they were non-functional. Miscreants had damaged the newly constructed toilets at Karan Taal.   

There is no toilet facility for differently abled persons at the mini-secretariat, bus stand, parks, and all markets where thousands of people visit daily. Moreover, as many as five e-toilets were established in the city, but none for these people.

The KMC says that it has spent Rs 97 lakh on the toilets in the city since 2014. There are no specific guidelines for the construction of toilets for differently abled persons. It admits that there should be a ramp, a railing and special seats in toilets meant for such persons.

Charan Singh, state president of the Viklang Kalyan Adhikar Sangh, says it is unfortunate that no government had ever thought of providing such facilities to differently abled persons.

“We had staged dharnas across the state continuously for 76 days for facilities such as ramps at all government buildings, wheelchairs in offices, toilets for differently abled persons, and passes. We have been assured of an announcement about such facilities on August 15,” he adds.

Rajiv Mehta, Commissioner, KMC, admits that the condition of toilets at public spaces is pathetic. He says that he will get all toilets functional and make efforts for more conveniences for differently abled people.

Deputy Commissioner Aditya Dahiya says he will get toilets for differently abled constructed in the mini-secretariat. Besides, he will also ask the authorities  to provide the facility in other offices as well.