Why is BMC proposing to increase public toilet charges? Here are the charges that Mumbaikars can face | Today’s news
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed to introduce a ₹1 charge to use public urinals in Mumbai which are currently free. The civic body has also proposed to increase washroom fee from ₹2 to ₹5, and for swimming pools from ₹5 to ₹10, reported the Indian Express.
The proposal was presented to civic group leaders and comes amid concerns by operators of the city’s 846 public pay toilet complexes about the rising costs of maintaining the facilities.
Currently, urinals can be used for free, washrooms charge a fee ₹2 and the swimming pool are included in the price ₹5. If the revised rates are approved, for the first time the use of the urinal would be charged.
Why is BMC proposing to increase public toilet charges?
The civic administration cited the rising operational costs faced by private agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that manage public toilet complexes built by the BMC.
“While the development is done by the BMC, the public toilets are managed by the private santhas. They are left to manage the toilets themselves, which incurs the cost of cleaning, washing the premises, repairing any minor or major damage, among other commercial charges. Besides, the entities also appoint a caretaker to manage the premises,” the Indian Express said, further increasing their operating charges.
According to the civic association, the proposed increase would help operators cover their rising maintenance costs. The additional revenue generated through the revised fees would remain with the agencies managing the facility.
“The increased rates will help the operators to manage the rising maintenance costs as they will keep the entire surplus,” the official said.
BMC is planning a new policy for maintenance of public toilets
Apart from the revision of user charges, the BMC has proposed a policy involving the reconstruction, renovation and repair of existing public toilets along with the development of new facilities.
Senior civic officials said the proposed policy will include digital monitoring systems and a public grievance redressal mechanism.
The revised rates are expected to apply to public toilet complexes that pay and use. However, the fees for communal toilets may not change according to the proposal.
Mumbai has around 8,173 community toilet complexes, of which 3,110 are run by the BMC, according to civic officials.
Activists express concerns about access to sanitation
The proposed increase has raised concerns about the affordability of public sanitation facilities, especially for the economically weaker sections who rely on them for their daily needs.
Sitaram Shelar, convener of civic collective Pani Haq Samiti, told the publication that ensuring access to sanitation is a core responsibility of city authorities.
“Managing public health and providing access to sanitation facilities is a key responsibility of the municipal government under the 74th Amendment of the Constitution. According to records, water and sanitation are among the highest-grossing departments of the BMC. However, public toilet operators are currently suffering losses because the BMC cannot charge them for access to electricity and water as per the proposed commercial charges. If the BMC is to increase profit, the citizens are to increase profit. free sanitation, then it is the city’s failure self-government,” he said.
