No more 'paying' for 'using' public toilets

To improve the condition of public toilets and make them accessible to everyone, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has scrapped the 'pay and use' toilet policy in the 2018-19 budget presented on Friday by Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta. The move has been welcomed by citizens as well as activists.

However, what needs to be noted is how these toilets will be maintained, and what revenue model will be adopted by the BMC for the same.

Supriya Sonar, convenor of Right to Pee campaign, a collaborative of 33-non profits organisations, said that there was a long-pending demand to make public urinals free for women. "We welcome the move, but we have to be very cautious to see how it will be implemented," said Sonar.

As per the BMC plan, since existing 'pay and use' toilets are not being properly maintained by operators, the corporation will take over and construct new toilets there. The newly-constructed toilets will have modern and upgraded facilities, and it will be operated and maintained by the contractual agency appointed by the BMC.

The BMC has allocated Rs 10 crore in the new budget. However, the civic body will also explore other sources of revenue to run these toilets, like display of advertisement. However, revenue through advertisements will also depend upon the location of the toilets.

The present proposal covers only 'pay and use' toilets, while there is a big number of community toilets that are in pathetic conditions. Sonar said that in order to prevent open defecation and make toilets accessible for everyone, the BMC must focus on community toilets.

Meanwhile, Mehta in his monthly review meeting, directed assistant commissioners of all wards to visit 'pay and use' toilets in their jurisdiction to ensure cleanliness and if people are being duly charged for using the same. And, if any contractor is found to be not maintaining cleanliness, issue notice.

Despite Mumbai being declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) in 2016, residents as well as corporators had raised questions about it. In the annual budget of 2017-18, 118 open defecation spots were identified across Mumbai. 

However, the current status of this has not been discussed in the new budget. "Slum/ chawl dwellers use community toilets and if there are plans to make the city open defecation free, community toilets must be looked after properly," said Sonar.

COMMUNITY TOILETS 

• The present proposal covers only ‘pay and use’ toilets, while there is a big number of community toilets that are in pathetic conditions. 
   
• Activist Supriya Sonar said that in order to prevent open defecation and make toilets accessible for everyone, the BMC must focus on community toilets.