Lucknow: Rich in flora and fauna, the Ram Manohar Lohia Park in Gomtinagar is a popular destination for visitors. However, the park’s inadequate sanitation facilities are causing significant inconvenience to its patrons.
Despite spanning an impressive 76 acres, the park’s public restrooms are in a state of disrepair. The park boasts four public toilets, but two have been closed for renovation for an extended period. The two that remain operational are in poor condition, posing a challenge for the hundreds of daily visitors. “Two washrooms have been closed for a long time for renovation, and of the other two, one is almost unusable, and the fourth one is also in poor condition,” lamented a regular visitor. “More than 5,000 people visit Lohia Park every morning, including a significant number of elderly and women.” Recently, three out of the four toilet complexes received a makeover under a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. However, two of these renovated facilities remain closed. The third, located at Gate No. 1, suffers from severe ceiling leaks, rendering it unusable. The fourth complex, near Gate No. 4, which has not yet been renovated, remains unhygienic and overused.
According to the Swachh Parks Standard Operating Procedure, parks should have toilets and other facilities every 500 metres. Lohia Park, however, is 4.5 kilometres wide and 1 kilometre long, with the two functional facilities crammed into one corner. This layout forces visitors to trek up to 2 kilometres to find a usable restroom, an impractical distance, particularly for those in urgent need.
Many visitors have expressed their frustration with the park’s sanitation facilities. “The two public toilets in Lohia Park are closed, and the other two are situated on the opposite side of the park. We have to cover a long distance to use them; otherwise, we have to go home,” explained an evening walker from Gomtinagar. This situation is particularly problematic for women, who often prefer to avoid using the park’s inadequate restrooms altogether.
The poor state of the park’s sanitation facilities highlights a pressing need for the local authorities to prioritise completing the renovation work and ensuring that all toilets are operational and well-maintained. Adequate and hygienic restroom facilities are essential for the comfort and convenience of visitors, especially in a park as vast and frequently visited as Lohia Park.
Until these issues are resolved, visitors will continue to face significant challenges, detracting from their overall experience of the otherwise beautiful and well-loved park. Local authorities must take swift action to address these ‘loos ends’ and provide a satisfactory solution for the park’s sanitation woes.
