Shanmugam Road is one of the busiest stretches in Tambaram and has everything residents look for. The only facility missing in the major locality is a restroom.
More than 10,000 people make use of the stretch on a daily basis and approximately there are about 1,000 shops. But the lack of a public toilet has made vendors and customers suffer.
Since this is one of the most important market areas, business begins at 5 am and people from long distance come here to buy goods.
Due to the absence of a proper restroom, the public mostly urinate under the bridge or near the subway during the wee hours. During the day time, things get all the more difficult as there is no place for them to relieve themselves.
“I set up my shop here around 7 am. If at all I have to relieve myself, I have to leave my shop and go to the restroom on the west side of Tambaram railway station which is at least one km from here. A few complexes have their own toilets, but the presence of a public restroom would be very helpful for the people,” said Poonkudi, a vendor.
While, the scenario at the Shanmugam Road is like this, passengers who wait for the buses at the Tambaram bus stand too face similar problems. There is no restroom in the Tambaram East bus stand and people used to urinate on the walls behind the bus stand making the place stink. Though urinating in the open has been prevented now, there is no alternative arrangements made for the people. The case is the same in the West Tambaram bus stand as well.
People who cross the bus stand have to keep their nose closed due to the pungent smell of urine. Two new bio-toilets have been constructed here, but are yet to be inaugurated, said Vinoth, a passenger.