Set up toilets at Bandra Terminus bus station

A BEST bus for BKC, outside Bandra station, on Thursday. Pic/Shadab Khan

The lack of toilets at the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus station at Bandra Terminus is inconveniencing staff and passengers. The bus stop is the terminating point of one of the most heavily patronised bus routes, the 310 to Kurla.

According to a bus driver, while most 310 passengers board from Bandra suburban railway station, the vehicle, as per the route plan, is taken to Bandra Terminus for outstation travellers.

The driver also stated that there is a need for a chowkie and other amenities. In fact, new public toilets were supposed to be built in place of old ones that had been dislodged, and staffers who travel long distances are forced to relieve themselves in the open.

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Infrastructure is needed and we cannot blame the coronavirus-induced lockdown for delays anymore. When there is a great push for toilets everywhere, one fails to understand why these ones could not be replaced in double quick time. These are necessities, not luxuries. If the plan was hindered by red tape or indecision, it would be shameful, to say the least.

The pandemic has taught us that cleanliness, hygiene, order and discipline are our allies in the fight for healthy living. This newspaper has continually shown that there is overwhelming public support for saving the big red bus, which is part of Mumbai's identity. While the mode of transport must survive, we need to see an upgrade in facilities for staffers, restrooms and relaxation areas, so that they do their jobs in an atmosphere that gives them dignity. When there are dissatisfied,stressed staffers, their state of mind shows in their work.

This is humiliating and callous. Those in charge need to start building toilets for BEST staffers, now.