Even Gods Have Failed to Deter People From Peeing in the Open

It seems like not even religious symbols can deter people from peeing in the open near this market in Hyderabad.

Rythu Bazaar in Hyderabad has been painted with religious symbols. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

People who rush past a wall of a farmers’ market in Hyderabad hold their breaths to avoiding inhaling the foul smell of urine. But the stench is not because of the public toilet there, it’s instead from near the wall that leads up to it.

Rythu Bazaar’s walls have painted messages saying ‘do not urinate here’. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

A large portion of the wall that surrounds the Rythu Bazaar in Mehdipatnam has been painted with religious symbols, with one clear message – do not urinate here. At the end of the wall, one comes face-to-face with the public toilet that is never used.

People Not Bothered

(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

But it seems like nothing, not even religious symbols, can deter people.

“We have tried everything over the past two months. We thought people won’t urinate or spit if religious symbols are painted. I personally spent some money from my pocket and wired the edge of the wall and repainted it once. Even that didn’t deter people,” says Ranjit Singh, who manages the public toilet which is run by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.

No Takers for Public Toilets

People are reluctant to use the public toilet. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

According to him, it’s mostly the hawkers that urinate on the wall. Despite the public toilet charging a minimal amount of Rs 2, people are reluctant to use it. The message on the wall also adds that the GHMC will impose a fine of Rs 500 but it is evident that people aren’t bothered.

The wall was repainted last month, after a visit by a GHMC inspector, who noticed the condition of and the foul smell coming from the area.

Past Initiatives Failed

A similar activity was taken up a couple of months ago. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

According to a report in the Deccan Chronicle, a similar activity was taken up a couple of months ago, on another portion of a wall in Mehdipatnam, but spitting hasn’t stopped on these walls and neither has littering nor urination.

<p> Even if they use the public toilet ten times a day, it will not put them back by more than Rs 20. I try to keep it as neat as possible and persuade all the hawkers and customers to keep the area clean but they just don’t listen.</p>

<p><b>Ranjit Singh, Manages public toilet run by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation</b></p>

(Nitin B works with The News Minute.)