The great loo makeover
BMC plans to overhaul city’s public toilets within 6 months after survey finds 4,000 of them are defunct ….SUDHIR SURYAWANSHI
After finding in a recent survey that around 4,000 toilets in the city are almost defunct, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) last week decided to repair and equip them with modern facilities, including ramps for handicapped people, after which they will be handed over to local community groups and NGOs for better maintenance.
The civic body has earmarked Rs 20 crore for the project which will be completed in six months, and the same was cleared in the standing committee meeting.
Additional municipal commissioner Manu Kumar Srivastava said a ward-wise survey showed that 75,000 toilets were in bad shape.
Additional municipal commissioner Manu Kumar Srivastava said a ward-wise survey showed that 75,000 toilets were in bad shape.
“These toilets will be named as Apna Toilets so that people feel they have a stake in keeping them clean. The operation and maintenance will be done by local groups, which can charge a nominal fee to clear water and electricity bills. The remaining amount can be spent for other welfare activities for the local people,” he added.
The toilets will also have a small room to be used for official purposes and meetings of office bearers.
“While redeveloping these toilets, the number will be increased wherever there is space. 2008 is the World Sanitation Year and the BMC has decided give a facelift to its toilets and improve sanitation standards,” Srivastava said.
Currently, in many toilets, there is no power supply. Some don’t even have water.
“All 24 ward officers are submitting their reports over defunct toilets. A panel of civic and private engineers will be formed to decide the design of toilets in different areas. The redevelopment work will start in August,” he added.
The civic body has earmarked Rs 20 crore for the project