Mon Jun 02 19:03:04 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**Chennai Collectorate Toilets in Disrepair, Petitioners Demand Action**

**Chennai, June 3, 2025** – Public toilets located near the District Office for Differently-abled (North Chennai) on the Collectorate premises are in a state of disrepair, prompting complaints from petitioners. Citizens who visited the District Collector Office are demanding immediate action. Petitioners say the toilets haven’t been cleaned for over three months, despite being used by over 300 people daily.

According to A. Prema, who visited the Collector’s office on Monday, the toilets are unhygienic with floors stained and an overwhelming stench. She urged the Collector to personally inspect the facilities and ensure improved amenities for the public. Other concerns raised include stagnant wastewater, rusted handrails, broken latches, and a large hole in the women’s restroom door, forcing women to use the toilets designated for people with disabilities. Petitioners also noted discarded liquor bottles and waste scattered within the facilities, raising fears of contracting infections.

R. Geetha reported on the unusable state of the facilities for PwDs.

While the toilets inside the main Collectorate building are reportedly in better condition, the outside facilities are more accessible to those visiting other departments within the campus. “I had no choice but to use them despite their pathetic condition as it was an emergency,” Ms. Prema said.

Prabhu K. of the December 3 Movement stated that he has repeatedly flagged the issue with the Collectorate, but no action has been taken.

A Tahsildar at the Collectorate said the Public Works Department (PWD) is responsible for maintenance and has been notified of the problem. PWD officials employed conservancy workers to clean the campus later that day and promised to replace the broken doors and latches.

A senior Collectorate official acknowledged plans for a full renovation but stated that funds have not yet been allocated and the work is expected to be completed in March 2026. The official also mentioned that the PWD has been urged to ensure regular cleaning of the toilets, which has yet to be done.

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