Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 19
Along with the rest of the world, the World Toilet Day was observed across Nagaland with the theme, “When Nature calls.”
According to the United Nations, the theme was based following narrative: “When nature calls, we need a toilet. But, billions of people don’t have one…We must build toilets and sanitation systems that work in harmony with ecosystems.”
Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated,“Nagaland will continue to strive to meet the basic needs of its people...We commit to better access to sanitation and cleanliness which is essential for public health.
However, as the 4th in the North East and the 22nd state in the country to be declared Open Defecation Free on October 2, there is a lot to be desired as the basis of sanitation.
Hygienic washroom is nowhere available...whenever required. There is one or two free public wash room in Kohima and Dimapur main town but they're beyond unhygienic. Build washrooms providing that maintenance is assured, a Twitterati responded to CM’s post.
Almost all the toilets in wayside hotels, restaurants or gas-filling stations along Kohima-Dimapur, a stretch frequently passed by tourist are unhygienic and poorly maintained and produces unbearable stench, a frequent traveller commented.
The problem is more for women. Commenting on her recent trip to Kohima, a reporter said that almost all toilets do not have availability of soap or hand washing facilities. Toilets do not provide dustbins for disposing off used sanitary pads or even proper locks, she added.
Improper signages, lack of facilities for PwDs, stench, unclean water are some common concern. Lack of civic sense also adds to the problem. As the route most frequented by tourist, public toilet along with proper awareness campaign should be initiated along the stretch, she added.
As a part of Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM – U), the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had partnered with Google to launch the Loo Review campaign to encourage, rate and review public toilets on Google Maps.
Over 33,000 toilets in more than 800 cities already have “Live & Open to Reviews” from citizens on Google Maps, a PIB release said on Monday. When The Morung Express tried to locate SBM-U Public Toilet (online) on November 19, only 5 such facilities were located in Dimapur, while there were 8 (1 disabled) such facilities in Kohima. However, in the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM – U) 'Toilet Locator' (online) mobile app showed 8 public toilets in Dimapur.
