BMC needs to be proactive more than reactive

The toilets are in S ward, Bhandup. Representation pic/Satej Shinde

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will demolish and reconstruct 30 dangerous public toilets at a cost of Rs 68 lakh for each. Interestingly, the civic body is reconstructing these toilets as a proposal tabled in the Standing Committee meeting claimed that repairs will cost more than reconstruction.

This has been triggered after a community toilet had collapsed three years ago and two people had died. The tragedy had led to audits of the public toilets in the ward.

It has to be remembered though that there are public toilets in a dangerous condition in other wards, too. Corporators need to undertake audits and move on repairs and reconstruction where warranted.

It is also important that authorities move faster on toilet repairs rather than letting these facilities reach dangerously dilapidated stage and then deciding on the three Rs to raze, repair or reconstruct.

There is obviously some kind of bureaucracy or negligence maybe, hindering quick repairs to this necessary infrastructure. There has been great stress on building more toilets, there has been so much awareness of the hygiene, dignity and safety it brings especially to women. It is a basic, fundamental right.

So, we have to see that if toilets exist, then they are in a state in which they can be used. If they have to be reconstructed or even made from scratch, then work has to be of top-notch quality to ensure that they last and do not fall apart in a few years or turn dangerously derelict.

For this one also needs a maintenance team for the public toilets, one needs cleaners, etc. so that they are in a good shape. In fact, there is an entire eco-system needed for toilet blocks working to see that they are indeed a facility well worth the money spent on them, just like any other city amenity.