September 10, 2025: Residents of South Mumbai were left surprised on Monday after construction activity resumed near Lion Gate, despite a Maharashtra government order halting the development of aspirational toilets.
Former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar alleged that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had defied the directive and continued work at the site. He wrote to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, demanding action against officials responsible. The BMC, however, denied the claims, stating that no fresh toilet construction had taken place.
The controversy follows assurances given in the Legislative Assembly, where MLA Ameet Satam raised concerns about the placement of such toilets. Minister Uday Samant subsequently announced that work on 14 aspirational toilets in South Mumbai would be suspended pending an inquiry. Narwekar has called the reported continuation of activity at Lion Gate a “serious breach” of government orders, urging strict accountability.
Narwekar has long opposed the construction of aspirational toilets in A ward, particularly on pedestrian footpaths. He argues that these structures encroach upon walking space and contravene the BMC’s Pedestrian First Policy, which requires a minimum unobstructed width of 1.2 metres. Referring to the Lion Gate example, he pointed out that while the pavement measures 8.65 metres, no clear pathway remains for pedestrians, forcing them onto the road and posing safety risks.
Responding to the allegations, the BMC clarified that the activity at Lion Gate was unrelated to toilet construction. According to officials, the site houses underground cables belonging to the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking. Following a recent cable fault, urgent repair work has been under way for the past two to three days. “No new toilet construction has been proposed or initiated at this location,” the BMC stated.
Source: The Free Press Journal
