THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Contrary to the government's claim of empowering women folks under the LDF government, the state is still bereft of proper urinals for ladies in public places. The more than 50 e-toilets built over the last ten years have gone down on gutters. By such an ineffective treatment, the corporation wasted lakhs in establishing the touted e-toilets that went awry.

For males, it is easy to attend nature's call by turning to any nook and corner of the city. However, the same won't sit well with females as they can only go around looking for a perfect space but with no luck. In East Fort, the toilet adjacent to the main bus stand has gone ineffective for three years. The corporation never batted an eyelid and this case especially evokes serious concern, since this bus stop houses hundreds of women including students, and is one of the most crowded ones in the capital.

Shockingly, the e-toilet established inside the corporation premise is also in shambles. The higher-ups cant even rectify the one inside their close watch but will surely give sermons regarding women's empowerment without any hiccups. The tourist hotspots of Shangumukham and Kovalam are no different when it comes to public toilets. The fisherwomen folks raised a complaint but have not reached the ears of the officials concerned.

In the 2018 Budget, the then finance minister Thomas Issac made much ado about establishing toilets in public places near police stations and hospitals. A long five years have passed in a hurry and it seems the government failed to walk the big talk.

Of the 1000 e-toilets started in the state, only 110 are currently in usable condition. The numbers thus give horrifying stats.