November 19 has been declared as World Toilet Day by the United Nations to focus on the critical health need of developing countries like India. A recent survey conducted by HolidayIQ.com travel organisation shows that majority of people in its survey have sought improvement in toilet facilities at railway stations and have claimed after Kolkata, Mumbai is the second city with bad sanitary arrangements.
HolidayIQ.com, a travel community with over 20 lakh members from 80 plus Indian cities conducted a survey between November 13 to 15 to understand the current scenario and importance of clean restrooms, while travelling. From eight cities, more than 10,000 respondents participated in the survey. The demographics of sample size was female constituting 79 per cent and male the rest 21 per cent.
On asking which of the places require a major improvement in toilet facilities, the survey shows that 88.31% people said it is required in railway station, 11.02% said at airport, 87.90% people said in cities public places, 71.51% says on highways and 79.17% said at tourists places.
Kolkata was voted as the most dirty of all Indian cities by 74% and Mumbai came second with 72% votes. When asked in which city did you find the cleanest public toilets, 59% of people said "None".
Shaji Mathew, principal, KJ Somaiya Vocational Training Institute, said: "Although each city is different, city sanitation services should be developed based on a common set of principles. Services must be comprehensive and continuously accessible to all residents. The entire city should have sanitation services suited to its needs, allowing all residents to enjoy the benefits of improved sanitation."
The survey also showed that 49% of travellers said they changed their travel plans (e.g. from train to flight/bus) because of unhygienic toilets.
Hari Nair, founder & CEO, HolidayIQ.com, said: "In today's scenario, having accessibility to cleaner toilets during a holiday is one of the key requirements of a traveller and a relevant factor in the consideration set. In fact, it also tends to influence travel plans of an Indian traveller. Poorly maintained rest rooms at some of India's most renowned and most famous tourist spots is an issue many travellers face."
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