Body to take over 70,000 Mhada toilets

Mumbai: In a move which will provide relief to slum dwellers, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will take over about 70,000 toilets located in slums and other public places after their repairs and refurbishment is carried out by the Maharashtra Hou-sing and Area Development Authority (Mhada). The civic body will maintain these toilets by providing them electricity and water through its funds.

As part of the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,’ the BMC has decided to take over maintenance of these public toilets constructed by Mhada in slums and different transit camps located across the city. For the better maintenance of these toilets, the state government had ordered for transfer of ownership of these 70,000 toilets seats from the Mhada to the BMC.

The Mhada, through its Mumbai Slum Improvement Board, has built 88,000 toilet seats across the city. Of them, the BMC has taken over 3,000 toilets in G-South and F-South wards. However, it had refused to take possession of remaining toilets till the Mhada carries out their repairs.

According to civic officials, about 9,450 Mhada toilets are in poor condition, whereas 1,550 have been raz-ed due to slum redevelopment schemes.

“The BMC will maintain these toilets by providing them water and electricity. Mhada does not have specific funds for the mainta-inance of these toilets. Hence, a decision was taken for the transfer of ownership,” said a civic official.