Slums still see lack of toilets
Civic body managed to build only 2,720 latrines against target of 5,137.
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has built the most costly toilet in the city in a VIP area like Marine Drive with corporate assistance, but it is lagging behind when it comes to constructing toilets in slum areas. Under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the civic body has managed to build only 2,720 public toilets against the target of 5,137 toilets in phase-10.
According to civic officials, under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, it has been planned to construct RCC and bio-toilets across the city. In phase one to nine of this drive, 14,369 public toilets have been constructed.
Under phase-10, the BMC had allotted 20 contracts for building 5,137 toilets in 2016. The 30 months contract period came to an end in September 2018. But only 2,720 toilets have been constructed so far, whereas 1,724 is in progress. Of the 20 contractors, nine have asked for extension in the contract.
“There are several factors responsible for delay in completion of works. Legal cases, underground utilities, ownership disputes, opposition from locals were some of them. In addition to this, it took time to identify places for proposed toilets. As majority of places fall in the jurisdiction of collector, MbPT, forest department, Mhada and private owners, it took time to procure no-objection certificate fr-om them. Also, some of the places are located in hilly areas, which made it difficult to carry construction material at these places,” said a senior civic official.
Under phase-11 of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, it has been proposed to build 22,774 toilets. Tenders for their works were issued in November 2017. However, they were cancelled as the contractors quoted very high rates. The BMC has now re-invited the tenders for these works.
According to civic officials, out of total 38 tenders for phase-11, only nine tenders, which include construction of 5,374 toilets, have received good response. The deadline for remaining 29 tenders have been extended due to no response from contractors. They will be opened on October 25.