Bhopal, with a population of 30 lakh, faces a public sanitation shortage, with only 43% of the required toilets and urinals available. The city has 218 public toilets, including community toilets and only 13 urinals, but needs 150 more urinals and 140 more toilets to meet demand. This shortage forces residents, especially women, to travel 3-5 kilometres for public convenience.
The Municipal Corporation’s slow progress has exacerbated the issue. A proposal to construct 290 additional facilities has been stuck for four months. Even after work begins, it will take at least six months to complete.
Meanwhile, busy areas like the 5 km stretch from Shahpura C Sector to Kolar Sixlane and the 3.5 km route from Seway Complex to Salaiya Market via Bavadia Kala lack public toilets, causing significant inconvenience.
Despite receiving ₹23 crore from the Central Government for these constructions, the Municipal Corporation hasn’t finalized the sites. This sluggish pace has drawn criticism as residents suffer. Comparisons with Indore highlight Bhopal’s inadequacies.
Indore has 78 community toilets, 243 public restrooms, and 140 urinals for a similar population. Bhopal’s facilities are poorly maintained and often unusable, with three bio-toilets installed for ₹60 lakh now in disrepair.
Temporary arrangements in Bhopal have failed, with over 100 temporary toilets dismantled and “She Lounges” for women housing shops. Municipal officials claim tenders for the 290 new facilities have been issued and construction will begin soon.
“We aim to improve the availability and quality of public toilets,” said Devendra Singh Chauhan, Additional Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation. Until then, residents must endure this sanitation crisis.
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