We need infrastructure, not fancy toilets in Mumbai

Our readers have their say on infrastructure, Venom, Dubai and the Nobel Peace prize

An Indian girl crossing train tracks in Mumbai, India. Rajanish Kakade / AP

Mumbai city has just spent Rs one crore ($140,000) on building a fancy toilet facility at Marine Drive. Toilets are meant to be functional to help citizens;  they are not showpieces for winning awards or showing off architectural finesse.

Mumbai city needs toilets  every two to three kilometres to help the common man. As far as I’m concerned, a toilet facility, economically priced and managed, should not cost more than Rs30 lakhs ($40,000).

Mumbai also needs to repair footpaths and mend the potholes on its roads. Cars and buses struggle on dilapidated roads and avenues. Besides the ride being very jerky and uncomfortable, the vehicle repair costs also spiral upwards. Many citizens suffer from spondylitis and every time they ride in a car, their back problems get worse. So can Mumbai please provide safe and smooth roads in the city instead of spending exorbitant sums on extravagant toilets?

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Readers jump to the defence of Venom, in cinemas now

I write in reference to your scathing review Venom is the worst superhero film we've seen in a long time (October 5): I'm afraid I strongly disagree. I watched it last night in a full cinema and there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and a lot of applause from the audience. It was a brilliant film.

Phil Perrin, Dubai

For me this was by far the best Venom movie in Spider-Man history.

Mariam Mairaj, Sharjah

Congratulations to the Nobel peace prize winners

I write in reference to your article Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad win Nobel Peace prize 2018 (October 6): The National's article was good to read. The first ever Iraqi winner, Nadia Murad, received the prestigious Nobel Prize along with Congolese gynaecologist Denis Mukwege for their outstanding work on sexual violence and war crimes. Their service to thousands of women psychologically and physically scarred by abuse and violence is truly laudable. Today women across the world need to have their rights and bodies protected and this incredible duo thoroughly deserve the prize. Kudos to them both.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

High praise for Dubai and those who built it

Please refer to your article Dubai plans to tbe world's most popular tourist destination by 2025 (October 5). I adore Dubai and all the achievements by the Emirati population and their friends in building this extraordinary place, together.

Satchitananda Ma, Dubai