The deplorable condition of public toilets in Nagpur has come under scrutiny, with a joint inspection report submitted before the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court revealing serious shortcomings in maintenance and infrastructure.
The report was presented as part of a public interest litigation highlighting the deteriorating state of sanitation facilities across the city.According to the findings, several public toilets, particularly those under the solid waste management department, were found to be in extremely poor condition due to lack of proper upkeep and absence of a structured maintenance system. In contrast, toilets operated by private agencies under the “pay and use” model were comparatively cleaner and better managed.The petitioner, Advocate Sandeep Badana, pointed out that many areas including Mankapur, Gorewada, Chitniswada, Hazaripahad, and Dabha are facing an acute shortage of public toilets, making it a serious civic concern.
Suggestions were also put forward to improve the situation, including installation of QR codes for user feedback, CCTV cameras for monitoring, and WhatsApp helplines for lodging complaints.During the previous hearing, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation had submitted 1,127 photographs to demonstrate the condition of sanitation facilities. However, the court had directed a ground-level verification of these claims, leading to the joint inspection conducted on March 27 in the presence of civic officials.
The inspection revealed that in many locations, toilet facilities were either poorly maintained or non-functional. The petitioner has urged the High Court to direct the concerned authorities to improve maintenance and develop better infrastructure so that citizens can access clean and hygienic sanitation facilities.
Additionally, the report highlighted the lack of proper signage for persons with disabilities, making access difficult for them. While sanitary pad vending machines were installed in some newly built toilets, many were found to be non-operational.
The matter underscores the urgent need for improved sanitation management and accountability within the civic system to ensure basic public hygiene standards in the city.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com