In an innovative protest, toilets in poor shape put on ‘exhibit’ by Kandivli resident

Malusare claims money spent has not been utilised. Pic/Anurag Ahire

In a unique protest, Vijay Malusare, a Kandivli resident and local Shiv Sena party worker, has put out a hoarding announcing a public exhibition of toilets. The 20-seat ground plus one-storey toilet block built in Kandivli's Shravan Nagar slum at a whopping cost of Rs 1.40 crore, is currently in poor shape, with roofs leaking, no electricity and doors damaged, among other things.

Locals have also levelled significant allegations of corruption and bungling in the construction of the toilets. Tired of vague responses from the local corporator and BMC authorities, Malusare decided to protest by erecting a hoarding urging BMC officials and the general public to visit the nearby toilet block. "There has been no electricity in the toilets for the past two months now. Doors are damaged, and there is a leakage from the roof. This will worsen now that the monsoon is approaching. These toilets were completed and inaugurated with much fanfare just last year. No one will believe looking at the condition of these toilets that it was built at a cost of Rs 1.40 crore. This seems to be some sort of scam under the Swacch Bharat programme," said Malusare.

According to him, the toilet built is of poor quality and the money spent on the project does not correspond to the quality provided. He further alleged: "I am going to demand an independent audit for this toilet and the work done. They had spent around Rs 39.36 lakh for providing and laying an additional line of sewer, which I do not see. They have just connected it to the old sewer line and extended it to some extent and left it. I want them to show me that they have laid additional lines and prove me wrong."

Rupali Rane, resident of Shravan Nagar said: "In 2020, they [BMC and local corporator] first promised us that the new toilets would be built within three to four months. They have provided us with temporary toilets, which were not enough for all residents. By the time the toilets were ready, it was over a year. Now the toilets are again in bad condition. There is no electricity, water connected too is not regular, roof leaks, sewer comes out, flooding the entrance." Another resident Harshala, Vijay Malusare's wife said, "I have been filing RTI replies to find out more on this project. I wish to investigate it further."

Deepak Tawade, BJP corporator of ward number 20, which covers Shravan Nagar slums, refuted the allegations and said that the toilets are perfectly fine. "They are in a good state and over 350 people use them." When contacted, a BMC official from R South Ward said, "We do not know about the matter, we will send a team to check the toilet. If there are issues, we will attend to them."