Public toilets

Poor sanitation system across Karachi continues to wreak havoc for citizens. Lack of access to dilapidated public toilets forces people to relieve themselves out in the open, just about anywhere they want. The problems persist in almost all districts of the densely-populated city and not many realise the significant dangers that come with such lack of hygiene.

Untreated waste that continues to remain out in the open can cause the spread of serious diseases and harm human health. The situation is particularly dire in informal settlements and slums where there is either no drainage system or drainage lines are open. This is an immense demand gap as 20 million people of the city have to rely on just 17 functioning public toilets to meet their excretory needs. It is refreshing to see that the newly appointed administrator of Karachi has plans to construct around 100 new public toilets in the metropolis, half of which will be for women only. The responsibility to construct, maintain and manage these toilets will be given to the KMC. Apart from this enormous contribution to the development of a disintegrating city, awareness must be created among the general public on how to use these restrooms in a clean and hygienic manner, as people have a habit of using public services rather carelessly. Along with awareness, a regular maintenance mechanism will help keep the public toilets functional in the long run and also encourage people to use the restrooms in place of open defecation.

The successful construction of these toilets will provide a solid foundation through which relevant authorities can start to rebuild drainage and sanitation systems to cater to the ever-increasing population of the city. With slow and steady but sustainable progress, such active officials can truly reform a broken-down city, which will be appreciated by millions of citizens currently living in miserable conditions.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2022.

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