Residents raise a stink over BMC toilet at Shymala Hills

BHOPAL: Aiming to achieve its targets for this year’s Swachh Survekshan, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), it seems, has once again managed to irk residents.
This time around, it's a toilet constructed near the chief minister’s residence that has raised citizens’ hackles. Besides the obvious security concerns, the toilet is placed on a curve without any water connection or sewage outlet.
“The construction is on a curve and can lead to deadly mishaps on the steep slope. When the toilet will be used, the excreta will flow over the main road. There is no logic behind having a public toilet in a residential space,” said a local resident, seeking anonymity.
It has been three days since two orange-coloured toilets were constructed.
According to sources, the construction took place overnight and the private contractor entrusted with the job, Deepak Tripathi, was not present. “The toilet has been constructed following instructions from the local corporator,” said Tripathi.
Around 1,000 such toilets are to be constructed by the civic body across the city this year.
“Public toilets are for a more or less fixed user group. It is not required in a residential colony, which has no floating population,” said a local resident.
When contacted, BMC zone officer in-charge for civil works and corporator Sabista Zaki did not respond.
Community Toilet norms
According to sources, the design considerations mandated by Union government’s advisory on public and community toilet policy are not being followed. Swachh Bharat Mission Guidelines, 2014, clearly indicate that public toilets are to be provided for the floating population/ general public in places such as markets, train stations, tourist places, near office complexes, or other public areas where there are considerable number of people passing by.