Minister for women and child development is preparing a proposal asking the govt to set up toilets at regular intervals along highways across the state.
It’s easy for men to relive themselves anywhere, but travelling long distance can be a torture for women who don’t have the luxury of relieving themselves just anywhere. Minister for women and child development Varsha Gaikwad has realised how serious this concern is especially since restraining oneself from urinating too often can cause health problems.
Gaikwad should know. She has suffered from urinary tract infection (UTI) thrice due to unavailability of toilets while travelling across Maharashtra. She is now preparing a proposal asking the government to set up toilets at regular intervals along highways across the state.
“Like all women, I had to control myself for hours when on my official visits as there are no toilets on highways. Moreover, the toilets which exist in guest houses, on railway stations and bus stations are in such bad shape that no one dares to use them,” Gaikwad told DNA.
Dr NK Hase, HOD, Nephrology, KEM hospital, said, “Prolonged and frequent retention can lead to UTI as bacteria tend to grow in bladder if it is not emptied in time. High pressure on bladder can lead to pain and swelling (cystitis). Renal damage is also seen sometimes.”
Gaikwad had fired a letter to the chief minister Prithviraj Chavan last month voicing this problem. “The CM asked for a proposal and it will be put up in the next cabinet meeting. We are finalising the project, but estimates show, it may cross Rs100 crore,”
she said.
The women and child development department is yet to decide on the distance between two toilets. Once they do, one can estimate the total number of toilets required. Gaikwad plans to call a meeting of top rail and state transport officials so that all agencies in the state are made women-friendly. Gaikwad said, “These authorities need to increase such facilities and also improve the condition of existing facilities.”
Appreciating Gaikwad’s initiative, a woman IAS officer said, “We look forward to such a move.” A housewife from Andheri, who frequently visits her native place in Nanded with her two daughters, said, “I welcome the move, but I hope it’s not an election stunt.” An IT engineer, Sudeep Gambhir, who comes down to Mumbai from Pune every day, said, “Men also need such facilities, so I wish the government extends them to us too.”
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