How Clean Are Public Toilets on Western Express Highway?

Mumbai: An audit of public toilets along the Western Express Highway has raised some serious eyebrows. Out of nine toilets checked, eight were found to be dirty and smelly. It’s a real concern for anyone using these facilities.

The audit covered a 23-km stretch from Dahisar East to Bandra East. The findings showed that many toilets are in bad shape due to poor maintenance and waste management. Some were built with funds from local politicians, while others were managed by private firms. Surprisingly, many of the so-called “air-conditioned” toilets weren’t even working.

Civic officials are aware of the issue. Deputy Municipal Commissioner Kiran Dighavkar mentioned plans for new toilets in high-traffic areas, which will offer more than just basic facilities. But local activists are skeptical. They wonder how toilets on a major highway can be neglected when they were launched with so much fanfare.

While officials promise better cleaning schedules, commuters are left hoping for quick fixes. One toilet near Sneh Sadan stood out as surprisingly clean, maintained by a private company. But many others, like the one in Borivli East, were dirty and smelly, making users think twice before entering.

In Kandivli, another BMC toilet was found lacking in cleanliness and water. The caretaker claimed to clean it regularly, but users had a different story. The situation was similar at other locations, where facilities were poorly maintained despite being built with public funds.

Overall, it’s clear that the state of public toilets along the Western Express Highway needs urgent attention. Commuters deserve better, and it’s high time the authorities step up their game.