Speakers at a seminar on Saturday demanded a sustainable public toilet policy and adequate number of public toilets.
City planners, architects, politicians and representatives of NGOs associated with mobile toilet management took part in the programme organised by Save the Environment and Dustha Swasthya Kendra at the National Press Club in the capital.
They said formulation of a comprehensive policy and its proper implementation was important in this regard.
Discussants suggested setting up of ward-wise sufficient number of public toilets with clear signs so that people could recognise them easily.
They said toilets were essential at public places like bus stops, rail station, stadium and market places.
They said sweepers should be given priority in the quotation submission criteria as they would be able to maintain the toilets better than others.
Architect Samsul Wares said that public toilets service was a basic right of the citizens.
He said government needed to subsidise this sector.
Government can inspire individuals by offering incentives who want take initiative in this sector, he said.
He observed that the present public toilets, run by Dhaka City Corporation, were not at all citizen-friendly.
Sarwar Jahan, town and regional planning department head of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, called for paying special attention to the city's public toilets and increase their number.
He emphasised public awareness.
DSK senior project coordinator Ranjit Das presented the keynote paper at the seminar on 'condition of Dhaka city public toilets and our duty'.
Source : New Age
