Highlights
- BMC to spend Rs. 376 crore in order to build multi-storey toilets in Mumbai
- BMC targets to build 18,818 toilets by 2018
- 15,774 new toilets to replace 11,170 old ones & remaining will be brand new
New Delhi: New year will see public toilets in Mumbai in a different avatar. This was announced by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as India gears up to celebrate the World Toilet Day on November 19. From January, the civic body will start constructing multi-storey public toilets across the city. For this the BMC intends to spend Rs. 376 crore over the next one year, with a target to build 18,818 public toilet blocks by 2018. The motive is to bring down the ratio to one seat for every 30 people from the current one seat for every 70 people in the city. A senior official from BMC said,
One of the unique features in these toilets is that we will have a squatting platform for children and the disabled people. We will also be giving special attention to urinals for women and to the needs of senior citizens. These steps are being taken to make Mumbai fully equipped by 2018.
He further added,
These toilets will be equipped with basic facilities like water and electricity connections. If there is an area, where it is not possible to connect the toilets to sewer lines, septic tanks will be provided.
Highlighting other details on the ‘Toilet Plan’ the officer said,
Under the plan, several old and dilapidated toilets will be demolished and replaced with new structures. We plan to demolish some 11,170 old lavatories and replace them with 15,774 new ones. The rest 3,044 toilets would be completely new.
For the construction activities of the new toilets, the civic body will also form a special cell headed by deputy chief engineer (Slum Sanitation Programme). The toilets will be constructed at places with greater demand for community toilets.
BMC commissioner Ajoy Mehta, in his weekly meetings had asked the all the administrative wards to submit their requirement for toilet blocks. The highest demand for now has come from areas like Govandi, Deonar and Kurla.
Mumbai was declared free from open defecation in July this year. Now, the city is making extra efforts to maintain its tag of an ODF city. The new step is the construction of these two to three storey toilets in the city. Currently, Mumbai has nearly 12,000 public toilets, and most of them are over a decade old.
