Gandaki : The Pokhara Metropolitan City and the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) have pursued collaboration in building basic urban structures as public toilet and canteen.

The metropolis and the NRNA have entered into an agreement for constructing a modern toilet facility at Mahendrapul, Pokhara-9 for the convenience of the tourists and the general public. The facility will include a toilet, a canteen and a breast-feeding room. Its estimated cost is Rs 10 million. NRNA will bear 60 percent and the metropolis 40 percent of the cost.

Mayor Dhanaraj Acharya said that the construction works would be carried out with the target of completing it within three months. He viewed that the construction of the public toilet will help promote environmental cleanliness besides providing accessible services to the citizens. Sanitary pads will also be made available at the toilet, it is said.

The modern toilet along with the canteen would be constructed removing the old structures at Mahendrapul. NRNA executive president Rabina Thapa said they have become excited to join hands with the metropolis for the construction of a modern public toilet. She said NRNA is also ready to collaborate with the metropolis in other projects related to urban infrastructure and promotion of health and sanitation.

The public toilet and the canteen would be constructed on five ana of land plot towards the north of Mahendrapul.

There are public toilets constructed by the metropolis at 15 locations and at more than 60 places constructed through joint collaboration.