RYC's intervention forces PMC to clean ladies loos

The city unit of Rashtravadi Yuvati Congress (RYC) had recently conducted a survey of ladies public toilets. Its findings revealed that the toilets, especially in areas that witness maximum crowd during Ganeshotsav, were in pathetic state. Infuriated, its members warned the civic body to either clean and repair the toilets in two days, or face protests.

The survey
RYC members had found that a ladies toilet at Peshwe Park was locked, as the caretaker was gone for lunch. While a toilet in PMC Garden at Ghorpade Peth was locked, as it hasn't been formally inauguration, another toilet in Saras Baug had no lights inside the loo. Besides, most of the toilets were badly maintained and required thorough cleaning.

Loos connection: Equipped with a report on their initial findings, a delegation of 11 RYC members met Mayor Vaishali Bankar in her office

Equipped with a report on their initial findings, a delegation of 11 RYC members met Mayor Vaishali Bankar in her office. Manasi Bhilare, leader of the delegation, said, "It is sad that many young girls and women have to use either visit malls or the homes of their friends, relatives, as the toilets maintained by the PMC are in a pathetic state. Despite a huge amount of money being used by the PMC to maintain them, the toilets are in a sorry state."

The effect
Mayor Vaishali Bankar had promised the group that she would do the needful. Speaking to MiD DAY, Bankar said, "I'll also join the agitation if the work is not completed on time." Bankar added that she's aware that that thousands of women visit Ganpati pandals and understands the seriousness of the problem. "Even I have issued instructions that all the mobile toilets available in the city should be put to use during the festival," she said.

Meanwhile, the civic body has opened the toilet for public use in PMC Garden at Ghorpade Peth. The toilet was locked, as it wasn't formally inaugurated. "We have taken a serious note of the complaint," said Arun Khilari, officer, Vishrambaug ward. He added that most of the toilets in his ward have been cleaned. Another ward officer Sandhya Gagare from Sahakarnagar ward office gave similar assurance. "I am personally overseeing the work and all the toilets will be cleaned by before the festival starts.

Ladies toilets
In slums
2,471 toilets, 97 urinals

Other areas
4,068 toilets, 371 urinals

Rs 2.09 cr
Amount spent by PMC on these toilets in 2011-12u00a0