KATHMANDU: It has been finally been revealed that the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC)'s much-touted plan for building two dozens toilets in the Valley under a public-private partnership (PPP) has been by three ministries.

Following a public outrage over the stinking of walls and roads with urine and human excreta in places of historical importance, the KMC had initiated the move.

The entire plan has come to a standstill after the Ministry of Physical Planning and Works, Ministry of Labour and Transport and Ministry of Home Affairs refused to provide lands to private companies for building the toilets.

"Our plans to construct public toilets in the PPP modality went in vain as concerned ministries did not allow us to use public land," said Rabin Man Shrestha, chief of the Environment Management Department, KMC.

"We forwarded proposals many times but the concerned ministries are giving no heed," he added.

Deepak KC, coordinator of the UNDP supported PPP Urban Environment section in KMC, said that the deal for the construction of public toilets was made with Kanchan Trade Link and Arati & Company, four years ago.

As per the agreement, the companies were to built 20 public toilets in different places.

Four years since the deal was stuck, only three toilets, one each in Ratna Park and Chabahil and one in Bhotahiti, could be built, said KC. As a result, Kalanki, Gaushala, Babarmahal, Bagbazaar, Maharajgunj, Balaju and Koteshwor continue to stink with smell of urine on walls and human excreta on the pavements.

"Pollution is one thing but the general public is a major victim," said KC.

"We are suffering from the lack of public toilets," said Bharat Dangal, 58, a commuter, who hails from Dolakha.

"I had to suffer many times without finding a place to relieve myself. Often, I had to stay long hours resisting myself against nature's calls," he added.

Dangal's problem is shared by many commuters this scribe spotted today.

Hari Prasad Sharma, spokesperson for the MoPPW, which is among the main implementing agency, said he was completely unaware of the public toilets plan.

However, he ruled out giving public lands in Kalanki, Balaju and Maharjgunj for setting up public toilets.

"Due to some technical snag, we cannot go ahead with the KMC's proposal," he added.