Toilets at four Metro stations soon

KOLKATA: In the next few days, the city is set to get something that was lacking for the last 34 years. Metro Railway will be inaugurating toilets at four of its stations soon as part of the ongoing Swachhta campaign.
This was discussed during a pre-Puja inspection tour by Metro general manager P C Sharma on Friday.
The toilets will be inaugurated at the Noapara, Shahid Kshudiram, Belgachhia and Sovabazar stations, a source revealed.Accompanying Sharma were principal chief operations manager Satyaki Nath and other senior officials. The other issues discussed were better ticketing facilities, safety and security of passengers. The GM sought details on the number of counters at stations and the need to open more for the Pujas.
“The general manager also visited the Noapara carshed and discussed details of special maintenance of rakes before the Pujas. This is being done to render glitch-free services during the Pujas. The GM also obtained details regarding tracks, signals and telecommunications. The principal chief electrical manager was also present. The general manager foot-plated (travelled in the motorman’s cabin) to learn more about services,” Metro Railway CPRO Indrani Banerjee said.
The issue of toilets at Metro stations came up first in 2016 after the Association of Protection for Democratic Rights moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the subject.
In 2017, NHRC asked Metro Railway to take adequate measures. While construction of toilets is not possible at all stations due to the layout, then railway minister Piyush Goyal promised to look into the matter. After going through the layout of all stations, Metro urged KMC to set up toilets outside a few stations and started building toilets inside stations wherever possible. “However, toilets at all underground stations may not be possible due to lack of adequate ventilation,” a Metro engineer.