Chennai: Amma samadhi located in close proximity to the sea does not have water either to satiate parched throats or for public washroom facility, thereby putting hundreds of people who throng to pay their respects to the iconic leader daily into hardship.
Post Jayalalithaa’s memorial being established on Marina, the world longest beach has been steadily witnessing an increase in footfall. The pride of Chennai with its memorial buildings is now a picture of neglect crying for attention. The public toilets along the shoreline have no water and lack maintenance.
“The public washroom opposite PWD estate hits you on the face with a stench. Taps are dry and the toilets are disgusting to see. In a few washrooms, there are no mugs and buckets,” said Bhargavi Raman, a visitor, adding that soiled napkins in the washrooms go unchecked.
Beachgoers and visitors of Amma Samadhi rue that they are being charged anywhere between Rs 3 to 7 to use the toilets, which are supposed to be free.
Twenty-year-old Jesu Priya said that people from nearby slums occupy the washrooms illegally and force visitors to pay money, whereas they let the slum dwellers use it for free. They earn at least Rs 5,000 a month, which is evidently not used for the maintenance of washrooms, she alleged. Sources said illegal caretakers often bribe conservancy staff of city corporation.
However, some allege that the washrooms were not maintained as the maintenance contract expired last year, after which the corporation workers took over.
An official from the Greater Chennai Corporation said two conservancy workmen are appointed in two shifts to clean the toilets at least three times a day. Action will be taken against those charging money for using free washrooms. Earlier, a few miscreants were arrested for fleeing public using corporation maintained toilets.
