Public sanitation facilities in Bengaluru, India, are in dire need of improvement, according to a recent audit. The findings reveal a stark disparity between the city's growing population and the inadequate public toilet infrastructure. With a population of over 1.4 crore, Bengaluru currently has only 800-900 public toilets, resulting in a ratio of one toilet for every 25,000 to 30,000 residents. This is a critical issue that directly impacts public health, women's safety, and human dignity.
The audit, conducted by the Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC), assessed 142 public toilets across the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits. The results are alarming: 37 toilets were completely non-functional, and only 6 were rated as very clean. Persistent foul odour was a common issue, affecting 58% of the toilets. Safety concerns were also raised, as only 56% of the toilets had adequate lighting, making them unsafe for women during evening hours.
Accessibility is another major problem. Only 9 toilets were equipped with ramps, leaving 94% of the facilities inaccessible to persons with disabilities. Water availability was limited to 40% of the functional toilets, and basic amenities like soap dispensers and dustbins were completely absent.
The audit also highlights gender disparities in the management of these facilities. Only 15% of caretakers were women, and information regarding contractors and user charges was lacking, leading to reduced transparency and public accountability.
B.PAC's recommendations are comprehensive and urgent. They propose a 30-day emergency repair drive to restore non-functional toilets and advocate for the creation of a dedicated Public Toilet Management Cell under the GBA. They also suggest replacing construction-only contracts with five-year Operate and Maintain (O&M) contracts, linked to strict performance monitoring.
The organization emphasizes the need for over 1,000 additional modern public toilets to meet the growing population's demands. They urge the Karnataka government and the GBA to invest in these facilities through government funding and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models. B.PAC CEO Revathi Ashok underscores the importance of public toilets as essential civic infrastructure, stating that a global city like Bengaluru cannot afford to neglect such basic services.
This audit serves as a stark reminder that the sanitation challenge in Bengaluru is not merely about building more toilets but also about ensuring the functionality, hygiene, inclusivity, and proper maintenance of existing facilities. It is a call to action for the authorities to address these critical issues and improve the quality of life for the city's residents.
