Washing machine, hair dryer in this public bathroom

 This Sulabh Shauchalaya in Gadag has filtered Aquaguard water to drink, warm showers, a garden out front and even a shoe shining machine.

Decked like a five-star hotel, this public bathroom in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar here, cost Rs 80 lakh. 75 per cent of the money came from the MLA’s fund and the rest was borne by the City Development Authority. Two more such bathrooms are being built in KH Patil Layout and Rajeev Gandhi Nagar.

The male and female sections of the bathroom are equipped with a customised set of facilities.

Men can use the hot and cold showers, a hair dryer, cupboards to keep their belongings, clean water to drink and a shoe shine box. The women’s section has a washing machine, napkin burner and a dressing table. Both sections also have special toilets to aid the elderly and the physically disabled, town municipality council member L D Chandavari told Deccan Herald. Under the guidance of MLA H K Patil, three such bathrooms will be built in the city.

A walking track will also be made in one acre of land. People can come here in the morning for a walk and then take a bath too, he said.

CCTV cameras have also been installed at the front door of each of the sections, to make sure nothing is stolen from the bathroom. A borewell was dug to make sure there are no qualms for water. A fence will be raised around the bathroom and a security guard will be appointed, he said.

Only a member with a smart card can open the bathroom door. The town municipality council will maintain the bathroom. Every family will be charged between Rs 50 and Rs 100 per month. A final decision regarding the charges will be taken after discussing with the MLA and other members, said Chandavari.