Mumbaikars have criticised the state government’s plan to shame those people who are found defecating in the open. According to them, the government should focus on constructing new toilets and maintain the existing ones instead of taking action against defecators. Already there is severe shortage of toilets in the city which has a large number of floating population. In some areas of the metropolis, the situation is so bad that people have to stand for half an hour in queues for attending nature’s call. Therefore they often skip lines and defecate in open and near railway stations.
Even though the government had constructed toilets but many of them are poorly maintained and lack hygiene. Most of them are devoid of water and flush and emanate foul smell. On the other hand, the ac toilets are expensive as the common man has to shell out Rs 5 and Rs 10 for peeing and defecating. Therefore they tend to defecate in the open. The government had launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to make India defecation free by 2019. Due to slow pace of toilet construction work it will be herculean task for the nation to achieve this target. Thus the government only announces various schemes but lacks proper roadmap to implement them.
Justice B.G. Kolse Patil said, “The government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan is just an eye wash to fool people. They must first impose a ban on companies manufacturing plastics. Sant Gadge Maharaj had started the cleanliness campaign and created awareness among people about it. Just like Modi government had launched cashless campaign they must start a plastic less initiative.”
Dinesh Kanavje, MNS leader from Mira Bhayander said, “Toilet is essential for every citizen of this country. Nobody would like women of their house to defecate in the open. Since Western Maharashtra, Konkan and Vidharba is witnessing drinking water scarcity then how will people be able to use adequate water in toilets? The government must first make adequate arrangements for providing water supply in rural areas.”
Krishna Kamble, Samaj Ratna Vikas Samajik Sanshta president said,”Swachh Bharat is a good initiative but the government lacks political will to implement it. Today rural areas lag behind in development. More than 90 per cent of people residing in these areas are defecating in the open. The government has failed to provide basic amenities.”
“Most of the toilets constructed in the city are poorly maintained. There is shortage of water in the toilets and flush is not available. People have to walk long distance for reaching toilets at railway stations. Toilets at bus depot too are in dire straits. Instead of investing in toilets the government must maintain the existing ones. People are paying taxes but the money is not utilised for construction of toilets,” said Vikash Ovale.
Prashant Neman, Santacruz resident said, “There is shortage of toilets in the city and the existing ones too are not maintained properly. People should maintain cleanliness of public toilets.”
Manisha Zore, a Kandivali resident said, “We reside in slums and have to pay money for maintenance of toilets. But they are poorly maintained. We have to stand in queue outside toilets for 30 minutes. Women feel insecure while going to public toilets at night. There are only 10 to 12 toilets for the entire population in my vicinity.”
