Mumbai: 559 community toilets in slums to be revamped

The BMC’s previous plans to install 22,774 toilets met with several challenges, and was later abandoned

After a series of deliberations, the BMC has reached a decisive point in its plan to construct additional public toilets within slum areas. The municipal body's goal is to revamp 559 community toilets, providing over 14,000 seats, in the upcoming year.

Around three months ago, the BMC's solid waste management department initiated the tendering process, shortlisting 27 contractors from various parts of the city. However, progress was temporarily stalled when the BMC sought Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding to finance the toilet construction, instead of utilising its internal funds. Ultimately, the decision was made to allocate the necessary funds from the corporation's resources.

The BMC also suffered a setback when contractors expressed their hesitation to employ a pre-cast construction technique, which is known for its efficiency. The challenge stemmed from the narrow and challenging approach roads in slum areas, some of which are situated on hillsides, making it impossible to transport and install pre-cast materials. An official from the Solid Waste Management department explained, "Given the constraints of the slum locations, contractors were not ready to adopt new construction methods. As a result, we have opted to adhere to traditional practices."

The department-level proposal to issue work orders to the selected contractors has been finalised and will be submitted to the commissioner next week. Once approved, the work orders will be executed. The BMC's strategy involves transforming 559 existing community toilets into a new ground-plus-one structure at most sites, effectively increasing the seating capacity. This endeavour will yield a total of 14,166 toilets, representing a significant 20 per cent surge in toilet seats, evenly distributed between men and women.

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Despite the BMC's sound financial standing, the shortage of available space has hindered the expansion of community toilet facilities. According to census data pertaining to slum populations, the existing ratio stands at one community toilet seat per 42 men and 34 women. In comparison, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) guidelines recommend one toilet seat for every 35 men and 25 women.