Mumbai: BMC sealed only toilet without making alternative arrangements, say Vile Parle locals

The sealed toilet near Coutinho Chawl on Lajpatrai Road in Vile Parle West

AMID efforts by the government to provide indoor latrines to millions of citizens under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan comes a disheartening dilemma faced by nearly 150 residents in Vile Parle West where civic authorities have allegedly sealed their only common toilet declaring it dilapidated.

Nonagenarian Lakshmi Solanki said it becomes traumatic for her to walk a long distance to access a toilet

The residents of Old Police Line, Coutinho Chawl on Lajpatrai Road, say they have been using the toilet for decades and the BMC has not made any alternative provision.

Lakshmi Solanki, 90, a local resident, said what they were now facing was denial of a very basic amenity. "At this age, I can barely walk up to the common toilet. The BMC has put up a notice that the structure is dilapidated. Am I and other women in my gaothan expected to defecate on the railway tracks?" she asked.

Rakesh Solanki, 28, another local, produced copies of letters and signature campaigns, written to the BMC, where they have requested that the toilet, which has six stalls and no running water or electricity, should be rebuilt or repaired and there could be a possibility that what is a very basic amenity for them could be an eyesore for some.

"The toilet is so filthy that it stinks like hell. The interiors are stained with paan and it has broken tiles, but we are forced to use it as we have no other choice," he said.

Local resident and activist Hina Shroff, who has been following the issue for years, alleged that the toilet had been repaired many times in the past by every corporator elected, but has been totally neglected in the past few years.

"On request from the public using the broken down facility, I have been calling pumping station people to clean the overflowing toilets and have reason to believe that there could be some with vested interests who want to ensure that it is no longer used by the common man," she alleged. Shroff added, "How can a structure 10 ft in height, with no load bearing water tank, be suddenly dangerous and beyond repair."

Corporator Anessh Naval Makwaaney said he had received numerous complaints from a resident association that the toilet, which is built on a junction that gives them access to the SV Road, was a major obstruction for pedestrians and traffic.

"The resident association, which represents over 1,500 members, complained that the entire road had been encroached upon and the toilet was built for nearby slums, which is quite far and It violated the norms set by MHADA and MSIB. Plus there are toilets in Misquita Chawl which could be used by these locals," said the corporator. He said "I still wrote to BMC in 2018 asking them to repair the structure, but no action was taken," he said. mid-day has copies of both letters.

Makwaaney said he approached the BMC after learning about the sealing, but was informed that the structure was unstable and could lead to dire consequences if urgent action was not taken. "There is a political vendetta at play to tarnish my name and there could be habitual complainants with vested interests behind the screen. If the BMC says the structure is unstable, how can I, being a non-technical person, take any responsibility if any accident occurs" he said.

BMC Assistant Commissioner from K West Ward Vishwas Mote said a competent structural auditor had declared the toilet dilapidated. "The structure is on the road and it shall only be demolished after alternate arrangements are made. We are also making standby arrangements in a nearby chawl," he said.

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No. of people affected by closure