The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a stern warning to operators managing 58 pay-and-use public toilets across north Mumbai, directing them to improve maintenance standards within three months or risk suspension or termination of their contracts.
The directive was issued during a review meeting chaired by Dahisar corporator and BMC House Leader Ganesh Khnakar. The meeting assessed the condition of public sanitation facilities as part of an initiative supported by Union Minister and MP Piyush Goyal to strengthen Mumbai’s public hygiene infrastructure.
The review was attended by corporator Siddhant Sharma, Deputy Municipal Commissioners Kiran Dighavkar and Manish Valanju, assistant commissioners from R-Central and R-South wards, officials from the Solid Waste Management and Maintenance departments, and representatives of agencies operating the toilet facilities.
During the inspection assessment, civic officials expressed concern over the poor upkeep of several public toilets. Issues such as foul odours, unhygienic conditions, damaged fittings, broken doors and windows, worn-out tiles and inadequate maintenance were highlighted as major shortcomings.
To address these concerns, operators have been instructed to undertake comprehensive repairs and upgrades. This includes fixing damaged infrastructure, replacing faulty fixtures, restoring doors and windows, repairing tiles, repainting facilities, enhancing cleanliness standards and ensuring regular upkeep of the premises.
The BMC is also planning to introduce technology-based monitoring systems to improve accountability and service quality. Operators have been directed to install citizen feedback mechanisms, maintain hourly cleaning records and conduct weekly deep-cleaning exercises.
In a significant move towards smarter sanitation management, the civic body has proposed the installation of “Gandhvedh,” an Internet of Things (IoT)-based odour monitoring system. The technology will continuously monitor foul smells and provide real-time alerts regarding hygiene-related issues, enabling quicker corrective action.
Officials said the measures are aimed at improving public sanitation standards and ensuring that toilet facilities across the city remain clean, functional and user-friendly.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
