In a first, unisex toilet at Chennai Central station for differently-abled

CHENNAI: In order to help differently-abled commuters who need assistance from others for using toilets, Chennai Central will have a unisex toilet on the station premises within 10 days. “We had been thinking of a possibility to help people who need assistance for going to toilets but can’t do so if the accompanying person is from the opposite sex. Now people would no longer be uncomfortable as this toilet will come up in a week or so,” said a senior official at Chennai Central. Use of the facility may be free of charges.

“Work has been ongoing for the last four days. It will be ready on the new concourse opposite the platform ticket counter and the old pay-and-use toilet,” the official said. “I need to accompany differently-abled Adi to the toilet at Chennai Central before a train journey. Sometimes people are understanding and offer to help but it is not the case always as he needs assistance in the smallest of things. With water spilled on the floors of toilets, it becomes hazardous for them,” said Shanthi, Adi’s mother. “I hope the new toilet will be maintained properly, she said.