MCC may consider extending ‘mirror’ experiment to other public urination spots

The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) can consider extending the ‘mirror experiment’ against public urination near the suburban bus stand in Mysuru to other ‘yellow spots’ notorious for public urination in the city.

It may be mentioned here that the installation of steel mirrors along the compound wall near the suburban bus stand to deter public urination had sparked widespread public attention, particularly on the social media, for the novelty and creativity of the bold experiment.

Speaking to reporters here on Monday, MCC Commissioner Shaikh Tanveer Asif said the installation of the “stainless steel reflective glass” may not be a solution to public urination, but may be helpful in places where “habitually” people urinate in public.

“We can consider extending it to such places with the feedback from the people and experts,” he said.

Explaining the circumstances leading to the MCC’s ‘mirror experiment’, he said the civic authorities had noticed that public urination was taking place near the suburban bus-stand despite a “functional” toilet in front of the bus stand.

To address such ‘yellow spots’ that are notorious for public urination, the civic authorities had earlier tried to change public behaviour by painting the place, planting a tree or giving a facelift.

“As such efforts did not yield the desired results, the authorities this time decided to install the stainless steel reflective glass. The purpose was aimed at encouraging people to show responsible civic sense,” he said.

However, he said the “lost cost” stainless steel reflective glass experiment was not a solution. “We can’t put such reflective glass everywhere,” he said, while pointing out that the civic body would instead focus on making public toilets functional as its main task. “Our main job is to ensure functional public toilets are available to the public,” Mr. Asif said.

He said steps had been taken to reopen public toilets in areas where e-toilets are currently non-functional. “Many previously closed toilets have already been restarted,” he said.

In several locations, there are no takers for maintenance of public toilets despite calling for tenders at very low bid prices, he said. “This is the primary issue with e-toilets. In places where they are not required, they lie unused and neglected. In other areas, they have been shut down due to water and electrical issues. Because no one is stepping up for maintenance, these facilities remain in a state of limbo,” he said.