Shopian’s only market washroom defunct for 2 years

Shopian, Nov 24: A public washroom on Aliya Kocha Street, one of the busiest commercial stretches in Shopian town, has remained defunct for nearly two years, causing persistent inconvenience to commuters, shoppers and local shopkeepers who depend on it for basic sanitation needs.

Residents said the facility, the only public washroom in the area, has been non-functional since 2023, forcing thousands of people who pass through the narrow market lane each week to seek washrooms in nearby government offices or private establishments.

Ashiq Hussain, a resident, said the defunct washroom has been a constant source of trouble, particularly for elderly people, women and daily wage earners visiting the market. He said shopkeepers are often compelled to walk to government offices to use their facilities. “Shopkeepers are forced to use washrooms in nearby government offices. It is embarrassing and inconvenient,” he said, adding that repeated requests for repairs had gone unanswered.

He said the issue has amplified over the past two years as the area has seen increased footfall due to the growth of small businesses, eateries and street vendors. “This is the only washroom in the entire stretch. The fact that it has been lying defunct for so long shows how basic civic needs are being ignored,” he said.

Several shopkeepers also urged authorities to restore all defunct public washrooms in the town, noting that lack of proper sanitation was affecting daily business and visitor comfort.

It may be recalled that the Municipal Council Shopian recently inaugurated a few new washrooms in the town, but residents said the non-functional facility on Aliya Kocha Street continues to remain neglected despite repeated appeals.