GVMC struggles to end open defecation

Visakhapatnam: Failing thus far to eradicate open defecation, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is now planning to seek support of police and politicians to stop this menace at some vulnerable points.
According to a study in 2014, the corporation identified around 1,000 open defecation spots in the city. With the launch of various measures including the construction of individual household toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission and public and community toilets, the corporation succeeded in reducing the number to 193 as on date.These areas include Lawson's Bay Beach surrounding the fishermen locality, Kancharapalem slum, Marripalem, Kommadhi, Fishing Harbour, MVP Colony and Rushikonda, among others.
Speaking to TOI, a civic official said previous commissioner Pravin Kumar had launched a novel programme Saadhimpu. "Women would have to walk in the places famous for open defecation to see that no men enter the spot. Shockingly, even then, the men carried on with the menace. Some people believe that open defecation is their birth right," the officer said.
"Politicians should come forward to help the GVMC create awareness about the importance of open defecation free society in their assembly constituencies. At the same time, the police should fine the violators," the officer said.
According to statistics available with the GVMC, the city has a total of 263 public and community toilets. This apart, the city has two Namma toilets at the railway station and Gajuwaka, and Pay and Use toilets at RTC Bus Stand, GVMC Office and Collectorate. The GVMC's e-toilets concept has, however, failed due to some technical problems.
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the GVMC identified as many as 16,319 households for constructing individual household toilets with a financial support of Rs 15,000 per household from the geovernment. Of them, the GVMC shortlisted 14,407 households and finalised 12,495. Of the 12,495 the corporation completed the construction of 9,751 toilets. The balance 6,568 are scheduled to be completed by next month. A total Rs 27.5 crore was spent for the IHHT programme and the government compensated Rs 19 crore as its share and the balance was borne by the beneficiaries.