Residents of Samachar Apartments in Mayur Vihar Phase I Extension, East Delhi, have been raising a stink about the shoddy maintenance of the common toilet on the ground floor of Block B. And now, unable to deal with the stench any longer, a group of residents have given a 10-day deadline to the society's managing committee to do something about the toilet's upkeep — or shift it somewhere else.
It is the only common toilet inside the complex and is used by security guards, drivers, maids, gardeners and other staff. Parvez Ahmed, a resident of Block B, said that they have been complaining about this issue for several years now, but the society's managing committee has been extremely tepid in its response.
Describing his difficulties, Ahmed added, "The toilet's ventilation is right opposite the window of my hall and the stench from it has made our life hell. I am forced to always keep that window shut — it's been like this for 10 years now!"
When City Spidey spoke to NP Radhakrishnan, president of the managing committee, he confirmed, “We have discussed this issue with the residents, and will come up with a decision soon. A common toilet is a must for any housing society. We are also planning an alternative toilet.”
Another resident told City Spidey that the managing committee had indeed wanted to construct a common toilet in Block C, but the plan had not materialised as the residents of the block objected to it.
Making his point, Anand Banerjee, a resident of Block C, said, "We are not against development of the society, but a toilet should be at least 100 ft away from any flat. That's one of the basic rules for any housing society.”
