3 min readMumbaiJun 17, 2023 02:01 AM IST
First published on: Jun 17, 2023 at 02:01 AM IST
Weeks after residents raised concerns over the new proposed toilet being developed by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) along the Marine Drive promenade, the civic body has given its nod to relocate the proposed block to a new location and stop all ongoing work at the current spot.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Shivadas Gurav, the assistant municipal commissioner in charge of BMC’s Ward A, said, “In view of concerns raised by the residents, BMC has decided to relocate the proposed public toilet being built opposite the National Center of Performing Arts (NCPA) to a new location. Meanwhile, work on removal of fresh construction has also commenced.”
While the new location for the toilet block is yet to be ascertained, the BMC has been deliberating with locals to finalise a location they approve. “They have suggested a spot near Rajni Patel Marg. We’re looking into it,”Gurav added.
With the public toilet originally slated to be developed along Marine Drive promenade, opposite NCPA, the BMC had begun construction work. But residents and members of local residents associations voiced concerns and wrote to BMC and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressing their discontent. Locals said the toilet block would spoil the aesthetic appeal of the heritage precinct.
Taking cognisance of the complaints, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar and BMC officials convened a meeting with the complainants on June 9, and assured them that BMC would review the location. “The place opposite NCPA was feasible from the sewage point of view. But, some citizens raised objections,” Narvekar had told The Indian Express.
On Wednesday, Sangeeta Hasnale, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (zone-1) and Harshita Narwekar, the ex-corporator of Ward A, convened another meeting with local residents and confirmed that the toilet block would be relocated to another location.
Ashok Gupta from Marine Drive Citizen’s Association (MDCA) said, “While the toilet was being built until Tuesday, the DMC and Harshita Narvekar assured us on Wednesday that the toilet would be built elsewhere. They have started taking down the shed erected at the location and stopped construction.”
“We’re not against the toilet facility. Marine Drive attracts several tourists, so toilets are essential. We objected to the location. The designated spot made no sense as there is already a toilet about 500 – 600 metres away, and it would block the view and hamper the appeal of the heritage precinct,” added Gupta.
The existing toilet block, developed by BMC and JSW under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, is located between the traffic signal near Air India and Hotel Marine Plaza.
BMC will commence work on the new toilet facility as per directives issued by the CM, who, following an inspection of the spot on May 3, had proposed that BMC build a public toilet there along with a viewing deck.
BMC will commence work on the new toilet facility as per directives issued by the CM, who, following an inspection of the spot on May 3, had proposed that BMC build a public toilet there along with a viewing deck. (Express Photo) 
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