Siraha – Despite being declared an open defecation-free district years ago, the headquarters of Siraha district still lacks a single public toilet. This absence has caused significant hardship for the general public, especially visitors from rural areas who come to the city to access government services.
The district headquarters houses major government offices such as the District Administration Office, Land Revenue Office, District Court, District Police Office, and the Survey Department. People from surrounding villages visit these offices for services, but upon completing their work, many find themselves in uncomfortable situations due to the lack of toilet facilities. The issue is particularly problematic for women.
Local residents blame the Siraha Municipality for neglecting the construction and management of public toilets. While the municipality spends millions on infrastructure projects, it has shown little concern for basic necessities like public sanitation, leading to frustration among citizens and tarnishing the image of the town.
Shambhu Sah, Ward Member of Siraha-2, stated, “Since becoming a ward representative, I have repeatedly raised the demand for public toilets. However, the mayor and other officials have shown no interest.” He added that even though initiatives began after the formation of the local government in 2017, no progress has been made in building toilets.
According to local business owners, travelers and customers face daily inconvenience due to the absence of restroom facilities. Youth leader Bhogendra Sah emphasized that public toilets are essential for maintaining cleanliness, dignity, and beauty in the municipality, urging immediate action for their construction and management.
Jiwach Narayan Yadav, Ward Chairperson of Siraha-22, called the situation “a matter of shame” for the municipality and pledged to raise the issue strongly in the upcoming municipal assembly to allocate budget for toilet construction.
The lack of public toilets in Siraha’s district headquarters highlights the failure of the local government in ensuring good governance, inclusive development, and addressing basic public needs.
Municipal Mayor Dr. Naveen Kumar Yadav said that constructing public toilets is a priority and work will begin soon. He shared that there is a long-term plan to build public restrooms at multiple locations under the urban development and sanitation campaign, and assured that coordination with citizens, elected representatives, and stakeholders will be ensured for sustainable management.
