Taking cognizance of the issue of insufficient public toilets, the Municipal Committee, Leh has constructed 9 public toilets complexes across the city. 

 

The department has a plan to construct more new toilet complexes and most importantly it will be functional both in summer and winter season.

Talking about new plans of the department to construct new toilets, Rigzin Spalgon, Administrator, Municipal Committee, Leh said, “The existing toilets in the market are clean enough to use. We are trying to upgrade and soon new toilets will be constructed near EJM College, NDS Stadium, old Bus Stand, New bus stand, Zangsti and PWD parking area opposite SNM hospital. We have kept a provision of ₹13 lakh for each new toilet. The Bremen Overseas Research & Development Association (BORDA) an NGO will help in designing one of the toilets. They will also provide additional funding”.

Talking about the need of toilet facility in tourist hub area of Leh town, he said, “In Changspa, Fort road and the Old road area, we cannot construct toilets as there are no government lands. But, as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court people can use the toilets available in the restaurants. Besides, we check the availability of the toilet facilities while issuing the license for the construction of new restaurants and complexes.” 

The new toilet facilities are indeed a positive change but there is an issue regarding the functional of toilets throughout the season. In winters it is closed because of the harsh climatic condition.

Stanzin Thinley, a local said that the toilets are clean but the English toilets remain closed during winters. If the toilets are made solarized we can use it in winter season also.”

Nawang Lhundup, owner of a Travel Agent said, “No doubt the toilets are constructed in every place in Leh. But unfortunately, it lacks maintenance. Moreover, the toilets are locked in some places”.

He suggested handing over some of the public toilets to the travel association which will help in maintenance.

To make the toilet facility functional throughout the year, Rigzin Spalgon said that the administration has instructed to design solarized toilet facilities to solve the problem. There is a plan to make small urinal facility at polo ground with the help of experts from outside and Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDeG) Leh.

He further added that maintaining public toilet is a challenge here. But we are providing facilities for the public. The reason why toilets are locked during the night hours is that we had instances where some items were stolen from public toilets. As per the Municipal committee act, we charge a nominal rate from the public for the maintenance of the toilet. There are few urinal facilities which are free to use whereas, ₹ 5 is charged in the other toilets.

 

Many suggested the idea of local dry compost toilet over the English flush system to make it more user-friendly for the locals in all seasons.

“We have few dry compost toilets around the city but there are many issues related to the local toilet. The tourists are not familiar with the local toilets and it is difficult to maintain it.  The waste will come out of its space and it is not possible to collect the manure regularly”, he added.

Sanitation is a concern due to less manpower in the Municipal committee and it becomes problematic to maintain the toilets on the daily basis.

Coming up with new innovative ideas, the department is planning to construct toilet facilities along with shops and space for the people to sit. An effort has been put to make user-friendly and comfortable for the public. 

“We flouted the tender and bidding was done for the toilet near the old Subzi Mandi. Many submitted the forms and we have even allotted the space but the bidder did not turn up at the last moment. Otherwise, a commercial unit could have been established on the top along with the responsibility of the toilet management”, Spalgon added.

He appeals people to use the public property in the most sophisticated way and co-operate with the department in making it successful.

Several toilets have been built in the area but people still prefer to stain the walls to attend nature’s call. Public cooperation is also necessary along with the provision of facilities by the administration to make the place clean and hygienic.