BBMP to build more than 300 new public toilets in the city

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: After facing criticism from the Karnataka High Court, the Bruhath Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has initiated plans to build 301 new toilets in Bengaluru soon.

BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath announced that starting from Thursday, the toilets in all Indira Canteens under BBMP limits will be open for public use.

A dedicated committee has been established for this purpose, he said. Addressing a meeting with the corporation called for this pur pose on Wednesday, the BBMP chief emphasised the need for public access to the toilets in Indira Canteens across Bengaluru.

He further urged the officials to promptly issue an order to implement this change.

Additionally, he directed zonal commissioners to swiftly identify and list locations in congested areas, markets, and important places for the construction of the 301 new toilets in their respective zones.

Already, 255 locations in the city have been earmarked for toilet construction, with an emphasis on selecting spacious areas.

Girinath stressed the importance of identifying suitable places, particularly in the central areas of the city, and instructed officials to identify locations for 46 additional toilets.

Highlighting the need for She Toilets, Girinath pointed out the existing 393 public toilets in the city, including 360 public toilets, 6 community toilets, 17 modular toilets, and 10 prefabricated toilets.

He called for the swift construction of more toilets in public spaces and instructed officials to identify areas where women frequent and construct women's toilets accordingly.

Expressing concer n about the 229 e-toilets in the city that have been shut down due to poor maintenance, Girinath suggested calling for tenders immediately to address this issue.

He also recommended installing e-toilets near important bus stands. In response to the High Court's directive, committees have been formed at the local level to develop plans for constructing toilets on public roads within the jurisdiction of urban local bodies.

In compliance with the Government of Karnataka's order, a committee has been established to devise comprehensive schemes for the construction and maintenance of toilets in public places under the Corporation.