Sambalpur: Lack of Public Toilets in Sambalpur; No Toilet Facilities in City Despite Spending Crores of Rupees

Lack of Public Sanitation Facilities

Sambalpur: Sambalpur, known as the heart of Western Odisha, continues to struggle with basic sanitation facilities. Despite significant campaigns by the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) promoting cleanliness, practical implementation remains inadequate. Most of the efforts appear limited to hoardings and slogans.

Inconvenience for Visitors and Residents

The absence of functional public toilets in key areas of the city, such as Khetrajpur, Laxmi Talkies, Ainthapali, Fatak, and Dhanupali, causes severe inconvenience. Thousands of people, including tourists visiting the city daily, are compelled to use open spaces like streets or nearby vacant areas for sanitation needs.

Women’s Struggles Due to Poor Facilities

The lack of public toilets significantly impacts women, who face more challenges than men in such situations. Tourists, particularly those visiting Samaleswari Temple and nearby attractions, find the experience marred by inadequate sanitation facilities. Dipika Behera, a tourist, mentioned that while the temple is beautiful, the absence of accessible and functional toilets creates discomfort, especially for women.

Non-Functional Toilets Add to the Problem

Though a few public toilets exist, they often remain locked or dysfunctional. For instance, three toilets built near Ring Road as part of the Samalei Project remain inaccessible. Similarly, toilets near the Nelson Mandela Square and the Collector’s office are not operational, forcing locals and visitors to seek alternatives.

Citizens Express Frustration

Local residents and frequent visitors have often brought this up with authorities, but little has changed. Sambalpur inhabitants are dissatisfied with the city administration’s inability to fulfill fundamental requirements, despite huge resources for urban development.

Promises of Improvement

SMC officials have acknowledged the problem and assured that solutions are underway. Deputy Commissioner Sunil Kumar Kerketta stated that the process of constructing toilets near the old bus stand, Khetrajpur Park, and the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) is complete, and work will begin soon. However, space constraints in other areas have delayed progress.

Call for Master Planning

To address the city’s sanitation challenges comprehensively, the authorities plan to create a master plan to provide permanent solutions. Residents and tourists hope that these measures will ensure basic amenities like public toilets are accessible to everyone.

In conclusion, while Sambalpur strives to enhance its reputation as a hub for culture and tourism, resolving the critical issue of public sanitation remains a top priority.