STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Lack of public toilets in Guwahati makes people in the Metropolitan city use footpaths for loo. One such example is the area adjacent to the Assam State Transport Corporation complex at Paltan Bazar where a section of people has made an open make-shift toilet. It is used by innumerable people in the area. A stretch of the footpath has been blocked for the open make-shift toilet much to the inconvenience of pedestrians. The practice is also viewed as hazardous for health.
According to the local populace, the open makeshift toilet has been in use for two years as there is no public toilet facility in an around the Paltan Bazar area.
An autorickshaw driver said, "As there's no public toilet in this area the Bazar Committee has made this toilet on the footpath. We face problem but we can't do anything as this facility is made available by the committee. For the sake of earning our livelihood we are forced to inhale this unpleasant smell on a daily basis."
Moreover, a pedestrian said, "As this footpath is blocked, we have to pass this area through the busy main road. Anytime anything can happen. Who will take the risk of our life? It shows the failure of the BJP and GMC (Guwahti Municipal Corporation) in maintaining our city." Further, one of the fruit vendors said, "Innumerable time we have lodged complaints with the GMC but to no avail."