The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has invited bids for constructing 15 “aspirational” pay-and-use public toilet blocks at busy locations across Mumbai’s western suburbs, with the civic body estimating the project cost at Rs 13.63 crore.
According to a tender notice issued on September 16, the selected contractor will have 18 months to complete the work. The initiative follows the introduction of seven upgraded public toilet facilities in South Mumbai earlier this year.
The “aspirational” toilets are intended to offer a more modern version of conventional pay-and-use civic facilities, with emphasis on hygiene, accessibility, safety and regular maintenance. The concept has been introduced under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, which promotes improved sanitation facilities at tourist attractions, heritage locations, religious sites and other areas with heavy public footfall.
Modern Facilities Planned
The proposed toilet blocks will include water-saving fixtures, sanitary napkin vending machines, solar panels, overhead water tanks and dedicated maintenance spaces. CCTV surveillance around entry points is also planned.
Separate facilities will be provided for men, women, persons with disabilities and transgender users, with the design intended to improve accessibility for a broader section of the public.
The latest tender does not mention the proposed user charges. However, a previous BMC tender had prescribed fees of ₹10 for men and ₹5 for women, while children below five years, transgender persons and persons with disabilities were allowed free access.
15 Locations Identified
The planned facilities will be spread across Vakola, Juhu, Versova, Andheri, Vile Parle, Aarey, Goregaon, Malad, Aksa and Borivali.
Proposed sites include two locations at Juhu Beach, one near Sagar Kutir at Versova Beach, amenity plots near Yashraj Studio and Fun Republic, the western side of Andheri railway station, locations near Shitala Devi and DN Nagar Metro stations, and a site opposite NMIMS in Vile Parle.
Other proposed locations include the area near Aarey Garden lake, below the Mrunal Gore flyover in Goregaon, Aksa Beach, an amenity plot opposite Maharana Pratap Playground in Malad and two sites near the Sanjay Gandhi National Park flyover in Borivali.
Expanding Public Sanitation Network
The BMC already operates numerous pay-and-use toilets for Mumbai’s transit and floating population and has developed the Mumbai Toilet Locator app, which helps users find nearby facilities along with availability and photographs.
The Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 guidelines call for functional public toilets near high-footfall areas such as transport hubs, parks and tourist destinations.
Bids for the current project can be submitted until 4 pm on September 22, while technical bids are scheduled to be opened on September 24.
The proposed facilities are intended to expand Mumbai’s public sanitation network while improving the quality and accessibility of toilets at some of the city’s busiest public spaces.
Source: Hindustan Times
