Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jan 27: The public toilet near Kadri ground has become a disturbing sight for both locals and tourists, revealing a severe lack of maintenance and care. Upon approaching the facility, an overpowering foul smell immediately greets visitors, making it nearly impossible to use. Inside, the situation is equally deplorable with dirty floors, overflowing toilets, scattered litter, and stained walls, all contributing to an incredibly unpleasant experience.

The facility’s broken fixtures, including a shattered basin, add to its already unsightly condition. This is especially concerning for a tourist destination like Kadri, where visitors expect basic hygiene and cleanliness in public spaces. Unfortunately, the toilet fails to meet these basic standards, casting a negative light on the area and the city's efforts to provide a welcoming environment for tourists.

The situation is worsened by the constant illumination of lights, leaking water, and remnants of tetra packs and rotten food left in the wash basin, all of which create an even worse impression. It is alarming that the local corporator has either failed to notice or neglected the need for maintenance of such a vital public facility.

While the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) works towards developing parks and rejuvenating ponds, it seems to take a backseat when it comes to the upkeep of basic infrastructure, leaving valuable public facilities in a dire state. Public toilets across the city, funded through CSR initiatives in partnership with the corporation, are similarly neglected, leading to unpleasant conditions like the one at Kadri.

Kadri, a popular tourist destination and a place of worship for many devotees, is frequently visited by tourists from across the country. Recently, a group of 100 tourists from Tamil Nadu, including 50 women, found themselves at the Kadri ground in desperate need of a restroom. To their horror, the state of the public toilet was so appalling that no one could even consider entering. This embarrassing scenario reflected poorly on Mangaluru and served as a harsh reminder of the urgent need for proper maintenance of public infrastructure and hygiene.