Swachh Bharat Women’s Toilet Locked for Years in UP Village, Garbage Piles Up

A women’s toilet built under the Swachh Bharat Mission in Mankapur village of Chandausi block has remained locked for several years, while garbage, cow dung and dirty water surround the facility. The condition of the toilet and the village lanes has raised questions about the implementation of the cleanliness drive.

The toilet complex was constructed in 2021-22 under the Swachh Bharat Mission during the tenure of the Gram Pradhan and secretary in Mankapur, Baniyakhera. The facility was built at a cost of lakhs of rupees. However, a thick lock has remained hanging on its gate. The lock can be clearly seen in the photographs.

Slogans have been painted on the walls of the complex, including “स्वच्छता अपनाओ, बीमारी को दूर भगाओ” and “शौच को शौचालय जाओ”. These slogans call on people to adopt cleanliness, keep diseases away and use toilets. On the ground, however, the toilet has not been opened regularly since it was built.

Local residents said the women’s toilet has not been opened properly even once since its construction. They said there is no regular cleaning inside the facility, and even the area outside is not swept. Garbage and cow dung are lying around the premises, causing a foul smell.

Residents have alleged that the toilet may be shown as properly maintained in official records and that a budget may be being withdrawn in the name of its maintenance and cleaning. On the ground, they said, the facility has become only a showpiece.

Women and girls in the village are still forced to go out in the open, according to the residents. They said this raises questions about both their safety and dignity.

The condition of the main lanes in Mankapur is also poor. Dirty water from the drains is flowing onto the roads, leading to mud and waterlogging. The situation is clearly visible in the photographs. Residents said that even walking through the lanes has become difficult.

Children going to school are also slipping and falling because of the mud and water on the roads, the residents said. The condition of the lanes has added to the problems faced by people in the village, where the women’s toilet has remained locked.

Residents have demanded that the District Magistrate of Sambhal and the DPRO immediately get the locked women’s toilet in Mankapur opened. They have also sought regular cleaning arrangements at the facility.

The residents have further demanded action against the secretary and Gram Pradhan held responsible for the situation. Along with this, they have sought repairs to the village drains and roads.

The report was filed by Rajat Malhotra.