Toilet Truths: The Problem of Open Defecation In Mumbai & Thane

What is the state of public toilets in Mumbai and adjacent areas?

This row of public toilets in Kalwa, Thane are in a shitty state themselves.

(Photo: The Quint)

One doesn’t have to go too far from the swanky buildings to find out that open defecation is one of the biggest problems in the country today. Soon after coming to power, PM Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Abhiyan with the mission to end this problem by 2019.

In July this year, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis tweeted that Mumbai has, in fact, achieved this feat and is 100% open defecation free.

With Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar’s highly hyped Toilet: Ek Prem Katha bringing the issue to the fore, The Quint decided to double-check the condition of public toilets in Mumbai and Thane and the ‘100% open defecation free’ claim.

We looked at two factors: whether open defecation is still a reality in Mumbai and adjacent Thane and whether the condition of public toilets in the city and adjoining areas is satisfactory or not.

Nityanand Nagar, Ghatkopar West

The state of the public toilet in Nityanand Nagar, Ghatkopar is dismal, with no regular cleaning. (Photo: Suyash Desai/The Quint)

The number of toilets are limited compared to the size of the locality, population and number of houses in the area. Maintenance related issues like cleaning, water supply, electricity and condition of the roofs/ceilings are poor. The locals have to struggle daily for their morning ablutions due to the poor conditions of the existing toilets.

Due to the heavy usage of public bathrooms and next to no cleaning, a foul stench lingers constantly around the area. (Photo: Suyash Desai/The Quint)

Kurla

Similarly, the condition in Kurla is a far cry from satisfactory. As per shopkeepers nearby, the BMC toilet located near the bus depot in Kurla West – one of the busiest areas in Mumbai’s – is cleaned only once a day. The bus depot is a major connecting point for people traveling to BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) and the toilet is rendered unusable in the first half of the day.

Kalwa

Slums next to railway lines like such as this one in Thane are mostly used for open defecation.(Photo: Suyash Desai/The Quint)

There are some places with no toilets or hardly any toilets in the Kalwa locality in Thane. Shiv Shakti Chawl in Bhaskar Nagar, Kalwa (East) is one such place where more than 100-150 houses are dependent on a single toilet. Locals complain that the toilet was installed just one week ago, with the increasing media noise about Swachh Bharat Mission due to Akshay Kumar’s film.

The few toilets that have been constructed are often broken, poorly maintained and have no regular water supply.(Photo: Suyash Desai/The Quint)

Prior to it, open defecation near the railway track was the only option available to the people here. “Many promises are made during municipal elections, but no action is taken once they are over,” claims a resident of the Shiv Shakti Chawl.

The Quint found some half-constructed toilets that, if locals are to be believed, were left in this state once the election results came out.

It will be unfair on our behalf to say that all toilets across Mumbai are in such a dismal state. The Quint found toilets in areas like Dadar Station, Mulund, Thane, Kanjurmarg and Ghatkopar in an impressive state with regular cleaning and good maintenance facilities.

However, for the authorities to claim a victory over open defecation when there is clear evidence to show otherwise can deal a blow to the entire Swachh Bharat Mission.

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