Bengaluru has a population of some 1.2 crore and 474 public toilets between them. People who work outdoors and those who suffer from chronic illnesses like diabetes are the worst hit. A number of initiatives by the BBMP collapsed after the civic body failed to maintain them. E-toilets are growing more popular although the lack of running water and uninterrupted power supply results in these closing down often despite their high footfall. The BBMP isn’t plagued by a lack of finances so much as an absence of will, report Aksheev Thakur and Aknisree Karthik.
The phrase 'public toilet' only evokes images of our worst privy hassles. They are associated with being in constant disrepair, dens of nefarious activity and hotbeds of ill-health. India, however, lacks them almost entirely. The problem exists the world over, with different governments trying their hand at improving public toilet facilities through a host of initiatives - Germany's Nette Toilette, for instance, has the government pay businesses a monthly fee in return for allowing public access to their restrooms. China's 'toilet revolution' includes the upgradation of 100,000 public facilities, as part of its $290 billion tourism initiative. Still, the establishment and maintenance of public toilets, an essential part of urban infrastructure, has had governments across the world in a quandry.
In Karnataka, these facilities are missing almost entirely. The BBMP's stock response to the lack of public toilets is that of their dire financial situation. According to their records, Bengaluru has 474 public toilets and if community toilets are added to this number, the tally rises to about 600. All for a population of over 1.2 crore. People accustomed to working outdoors, from traffic policement to auto drivers, are forced to relieve themselves on the streets and say the situation is even worse for women.
The absence of public toilets comes with a host of ramifications. People who work outdoors, from auto drivers to traffic cops are forced to relieve themselves on the street or, in some cases, avoid drinking water. Those with chronic conditions like diabetes are also badly hit, for the few toilets that exist are almost impossible to use. The Infosys Foundation began working on sanitation nearly two decades ago found that their well-intentioned initiative had gone in vain as people living in rural areas converted their newly-constructed toilets to storerooms and continued to relieve themselves outside, despite the obvious safety concerns. There is also very little awareness on the health ramifications of defecating outdoors.
"In posher areas, we don't find public toilets at all. Neither do we find the space to relieve ourselves. the situation is worse for women, but a lot of us develop kidney stones," said Swamy, an auto driver who spends upto 15 hours on the street each day. "The lack of toilets in certain areas means we are forced to avoid drinking water."
The ones that do exist are falling apart from poor maintenace - commuters often cross the street or cover their noses as they pass these facilities. Basic hardware like sinks and commodes only push more people to relieve themselves on the streets.
Traffic policemen are at the mercy of shopping malls and shops in the area when they're on duty. "If we're manning traffic for longer durations, we ask shops around the signals to let us use their toilets," said Basavaraj, a traffic constable. "The nearest public toilet is a kilometre away."
According to Swathi, a resident of HSR layout, complains that the lack of public toilets shows the government's regard for sanitation. "Imagine the condition of female commuters. They don't have any place to relieve themselves," she remarked.
Repeated attempts to reach the BBMP Commissioner, N Manjunath Prasad for his response, went in vain.
The privy purview
- There 87 e-toilets in the city.
- Works are on to install 82 toilets.
- Kerala-based Eram Scientific Solutions Limited along with BBMP is erecting the toilets
- As per the agreement, the company has to run the toilets for first two years (2015-2017).
- After Dec 2017, BBMP has to pay annual maintenance for the next 3 years.
E-toilets popular, hampered by power cuts, water supply
The BBMP’s solution to the city’s pathetic public privies was the more savvy e-toilet alternative. Launched in 2015, it was hoped that these facilities would fill the gaps where space and infrastructure to build commercial public toilets are lacking. The user was simply asked to insert a Rs 1, 2 or 5 coin to open the e-toilet doors, which had separate facilities for men and women. They are designed to alert the user to any problems, for instance, if there is no water, a red light would glow to indicate that the toilet could not be used.
There are a mere smattering of these in the city and even less awareness, for not much was said about the initiative when it was launched. Those who have tried to use them have had their share of complaints, too. Kiran, a techie, who tried to use the e-toilets near Town Hall, found to his exasperation that they were closed.
Speaking to DC, Sreekumar G, Senior Regional Manager, Eram Scientific Solutions Limited, which has already installed 87 e-toilets and are going to open 82 more, said, “People from different walks of life are gradually accepting e-toilets. When we began, there appeared to be some sort of public reluctance to use these. Today, every single unit of toilets has about a minimum of 40 users. In more crowded areas like Jayanagar, the footfall goes to about 100 people per unit.”
However, the lack of supporting infrastructure, like uninterrupted power supply, have led to e-toilets being closed down. “Every single unit has a UPS that supply power for about 30 minutes. However, if the power cut exceeds this time frame, that particular facility will have to be closed,” Sreekumar explained.
They also come with a number of other advantages. For instance, the entrances don’t have to be manned. “Normal toilets use upto five litres every time they are flushed. An e-toilet uses around 1.5 litre. Every time we flush, the floor is cleaned along with the toilet,” said Sreekumar. Users can also download an app that will help them find the nearest e-toilet. “People are coming around to the advantages of using these,” he added.
BJP city president and former leader of opposition at BBMP, Mr N R Ramesh said "At Yediyur ward we have 4 e-toilets. All of them are functioning well and on a average around 50 people use the toilets every single day."
Toilet in every ward more important than Indira canteens: DS Rajashekar, President, Citizen Action Forum
The BBMP and the state government, which have made tall claims in the past about their efforts to improve sanitation, have very little to show for it today. The lack of toilets in public spaces has caused a great deal of trouble to a number of people, from diabetic patients to traffic policemen who spend the better part of the day on the streets. Without proper spaces in which to relieve themselves, people are forced to do so on the streets instead, which makes them messier and can give rise to a host of ramifications with regard to personal health and hygiene.
Whenever the BBMP is questioned, they stick to their stock response, which is that that the civic body is in dire need of finances. They also argue that even if they do locate the space to build these toilets, they face resistance from the public.
The facilities that do exist are in pathetic condition, lacking basic amenities like sinks and commodes. Some don’t have electricity or running water and the foul smell emanating from these facilities is enough to faze even the most rugged user. The government launched its e-toilet scheme with a great deal of pomp although that too has failed miserable due to water scarcity and lack of power supply. Again, maintenance became a huge concern.
Having a toilet in every ward is, in my opinion, as important as an Indira Canteen. There are a number of builders who would be happy to take up these projects. The government spends hundreds of crores on other pertinent projects like the Namma Metro. What then, stops them from setting aside a few lakhs to construct public toilets? It is not the lack of finances that is holding the BBMP back so much as the absence of will.
In order to cover up their failures, the BBMP tends to shift the onus of open-air defecation on the migrant population. However, most of the migrant population is engaged in construction work and the BBMP would do well to make the setting up toilets for workers a mandate for the builders.
Other countries have well-maintained toilets, or have made attempts to set up and maintain them. It is high time we build some toilets too and perhaps this time, they will be ones that people can actually use!
