Open defecation a major concern, civic chief urges officials to construct more public toilets

The survey of toilets is a part of the 15-day slum cleanliness drive undertaken by the civic body across Mumbai.

As open defecation continues to be a critical hygiene issue across Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to raise the number of public toilets in the city. Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta is learnt to have asked the assistant commissioners from all 24 wards to bring proposals for the construction of public toilets as per the requirements of their respective wards.

According to a civic official, the commissioner has also directed the ward officers to identify the areas where there aren’t enough public toilets and areas where these toilets are in need of repair. “The ward officers are supposed to submit proposals for construction and repair of toilets to concerned deputy municipal commissioner by July 10,” the official said.

The survey of toilets is a part of the 15-day slum cleanliness drive undertaken by the civic body across Mumbai.

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BMC has also appealed private companies to direct their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds towards building additional toilets in the city. “The corporation will help companies willing to construct toilets in slums under CSR by identifying locations and extending required assistance,” reads a tweet on civic body’s official handle.

Under the Companies Act, 2013, as per Section 135, companies having net worth of Rs 500 crore or turnover of Rs 1,000 crore are mandated to spend 2 per cent of their average net profits during the preceding three years. As of now, there are 3,818 public urinals and 13,456 water closets in the city.

musab.qazi@expressindia.com

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