According to the audit’s preliminary findings, these toilets suffer due to inadequate maintenance and poor waste management. The survey noted that five of the nine toilets were built using MLA or corporator funds while two were constructed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and two were maintained by private firms. Several toilets touted to be “air-conditioned” were not and except for one, all were found to be dirty and poorly maintained.

Hidden loo near Shankarwadi, Andheri: Located next to Sneh Sadan, this toilet has no noticeable structure or flashy banners indicating who commissioned it. A small arrow-like board points the way to the entrance. Given the condition of other toilets, expectations here were low, but this facility turned out to be surprisingly clean and well-maintained, with shiny tiles and a fresh scent. Maintained by Fumes International Ltd, it was clean, and an air freshener had been sprayed. The charge was Rs 2.

BMC toilet opposite Akurli Metro station: Commissioned by the BMC, this toilet in Kandivli was constructed near the bus stand and is maintained by an organisation, Sarvalok Vikas Seva Mandal. It was found dirty and short on water during the visit, though it was slightly better than the first two toilets visited in Borivli. The caretaker, who appears to be staying in the maintenance room, keeps clothes, utensils and other belongings inside the ladies’ toilet. Users were charged Rs 5. 

AC toilet at Dindoshi: This toilet, also commissioned by MLA Prabhu, is maintained by M/s Kutir Mandal. Neither the air conditioner nor the toilet blocks were in a usable condition; the stench was overpowering, making it difficult even to enter. The charge was Rs 5.

AC lavatory at Kurar village in Malad East: The upkeep of this toilet, set up by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sunil Prabhu, was very poor; brooms and other items were stored inside toilet blocks. The place smelled as bad as the other toilets. The caretaker seemed unconcerned about people entering and leaving. Asked how much one should pay, he did not charge anything. The AC was non-operational.

AC toilet at Magathane, Borivli East: This swanky toilet was commissioned by former MNS MLA Pravin Darekar, who defected to the BJP after losing the Assembly poll in 2014. The facility once boasted a sofa set costing over Rs 2.5 lakh, a 42-inch LCD TV and air conditioners worth over R2 lakh. Spread over 3,000 sq ft, it has separate cubicles for men and women, bathing provisions, and a changing room. However, all these amenities are now in poor condition. The toilet blocks were ill-maintained and dirty. On the day of the visit, the room with the TV was locked, and the ACs were non-operational.

AC toilet in Malad: Dubbed a “star toilet” some five years ago, this facility commissioned by BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar is now smelly and dirty. The seating outside is rusted, and it is manned by random people who live there. Upon inquiry, they said they have no specific experience or expertise in managing a toilet. A person started cleaning the toilet block when approached, and asked the visitors to wait until the cleaning was done.

Vakola’s vile Sulabh Shauchalaya: This filthy toilet, surrounded by a garbage dump, is maintained by Sulabh International. The person managing it said that they were in the process of cleaning the washroom and it could not be used at that moment. 

Toilet near Chataiwala Chawl, Santacruz East: This old public toilet, commissioned by former corporator Sada Parab, on a service road in Santacruz, is maintained by the Ekyavardhini Mahila Mandal. It was not extremely dirty but reeked, and the ladies’ toilet blocks, located behind the structure, seemed secluded and unsafe. Users were charged Rs 2.