A man and a woman died after a public toilet collapsed in Bhandup West on Saturday morning. The 20-seat community lavatory at Saisadan Chawl near Oxford High School had been constructed nearly three decades ago, said locals.
Rescuers pulled out the bodies of Labuben Jethava, 42, and Babulal Devasi, 45, nearly seven hours after the mishap.
"I have no clear idea if the toilet was maintained by BMC. The information will be only with the ward office," said Kiran Dighavkar, assistant municipal commissioner (solid waste management). Local ward officer Santoshkumar Dhonde could not be reached despite repeated attempts.
Amid the government push for more toilets, activists said, the tragedy will dissuade people from using the amenities. "The government is busy taking certificates for open-defecation free but is neglecting the existing public toilets," said Mumtaz Shaikh, a Right to Pee activist.
