As the United Nations observes World Toilet Day today, a recent survey has revealed that 99 per cent Indian travellers need more restrooms facilities and 98 per cent women demand washrooms on highways.
About 99 per cent travellers in the country said there is a need for more toilets across tourism destinations and spots in the country, a survey conducted by travel community HolidayIQ said.
Interestingly, it found that highways were given the highest number of votes on where we need more toilets, topping the list at 92 per cent.
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While only 85 per cent male travellers voted for highways, 98 per cent women travellers expressed a need for more toilets on highways, it pointed out.
They also mention toilets are an essential element in planning holidays, especially in deciding the mode of travel, as per the survey.
The survey, conducted over last one week, to understand the current scenario and importance of access to restrooms, while travelling, saw participation of over 32,000 travellers from over 80 Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune.
"Of the 2.4 billion people in the world who have no toilets, India accounts for nearly 600 million. Those who have travelled the country will understand the fuss about toilets in India too well.
"Even at some of the world's most frequented sightseeing sites in India, access to toilets is considered a luxury," it said.
With festive tourism growing and travellers heading to destinations with religious and spiritual significance, 86 per cent travellers felt there should be more accessibility to toilets in these places.
About 76 per cent travellers feel that bus stations and buses are other areas that need to have access to clean toilets.
It also revealed that 86 per cent travellers demand cleaner toilets while 71 per cent feel the need for more toilets.
Safety and security accounted for 62 per cent, 56 per cent demand disabled friendly toilets and 37 per cent said there should be feeding rooms for women, it added.
Speaking at the conference, Assam Chief Minister
Sarbananda Sonowal also emphasised on the importance of sanitation and hygiene and asked the people of the state to make cleanliness as their life's goal.
With the objective to showcase the commitment of the state and the people towards achieving the goal of Swachh Assam, ASCOSAN-2017, the biggest conference in the history of Assam, was organised in the city.
The sanitation conference, which has vowed to make Assam clean and open defecation-free (ODF) by this year, was attended by more than 6,000 people including those from the district level functionaries, Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members, urban local bodies as well as experts, corporate houses, and local people.
Sonowal is aiming to make the state the cleanest by October 2, 2017, two years prior to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Clean India' by 2nd October 2019.
"Cleanliness should be our life's goal. Even the greatest men in history including the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi and various monks and sages teach us to follow sanitation and cleanliness," said Sonowal.
"Humans take birth and die, but once a good work is started, it never dies and stays forever. Change will come only through hard work and I request everyone to work hard to make the state an example for the whole country," he said.
Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) also participated in the conference which brings together various faith leaders of major religions of India to put forward their faith-based message for WASH and take a pledge to work for it in their areas of influence.
He also made the public take a pledge at the conference to make the state clean. To encourage the spirit of sanitation he also awarded five cleanest villages.
Awards were also given to first ODF village, Gram Panchayat and block. Various 'Sanitation Heroes' who have done commendable work in the sector and contributed in furthering the cause of Swachh Assam were also awarded.
"The awards are being given to encourage people to work hard for making the state clean," said Sonowal.
Rangchapara, a Garo village in Goalpara district, was awarded as the cleanest village in the state.
"The concept of 'Sanitation first' is a step towards 'Make India', which is our new slogan along with Make in India which is started by the prime minister," said Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Founder and chairman GIWA India.
"For achieving sanitation, we need political, personal and public will. Today we need to take everyone together without any boundaries and gaps. This, in true sense will be 'sabka sath sabka vikas'," he said.
