Civic body to act against ‘dirty’ public toilets

Mumbai: Based on the public feedback, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to take action against public toilets, which have been listed as “dirty” in its survey. The civic body has also terminated the contract of an agency, which was maintaining the public toilet at the Gateway of India.

According to the civic officials, the BMC had installed feedback machines at 54 toilets across the city, wherein people were asked to vote on the cleanliness of the public toilets. During the four-month period from December 2016 to April 27, 2017, 89 lakh users rated the toilets. Based on the survey report, the civic body has decided to act against the agencies, whose toilets have been found dirtiest among all.

”We have decided to issue show-cause notices to agencies, who have worst reports,” said Kiran Dighavkar, assistant commissioner of A-ward. He said, “The agency Sulabh International opposite Taj Palace Hotel has already been terminated for not keeping the toilet clean. We had issued notice to them twice for keeping toilet unclean and overcharging people, especially women, for the use of urinals. Now that they have fared poorly in public feedback, we have terminated their services. The BMC labourers will maintain the toilet henceforth.”

Earlier the civic officials and engineers would visit to the toilets and submit their reports. “We have now asked people to rate toilets in their areas and based on their report we have started taking action. I have written to other assistant commissioners to take necessary action against agencies, who fared poorly in the survey,” he said.

Unclean toilets

• Sarvalok Seva Vikas Mandal, near Samata Nagar Police Chowky
• Birla Lane, Juhu (K-W)
• Sarvalok Seva Mandal, Devipada, On Western Express Highway
• Slater Road, Grant Road (D)
• Sulabh International, Near Taj Palace Hotel (A)
• Fumes, Churchage station (A)
• Old Mumbai-Pune Bus Stand, Dadar