Civic bodies, barring BMC and a few, get Bombay High Court rap over women's loos

The Bombay high court on Tuesday gave an ultimatum to all municipal corporations, barring the exception of Mumbai, Pune and two others, in Maharashtra to bring out a scheme for providing toilets and urinal facilities for women on streets.

A division bench of justices A S Oka and C V Bhadang was hearing a public interest litigation emphasising the need for women's loos to be constructed by civic bodies across the state.

The high court had in December 2014 directed all the corporations to evolve schemes in this regard. However, the judges were informed on Tuesday that while Mumbai, Nagpur and Amravati had taken some steps, the other civic bodies were yet to do anything on the issue.

Irked by the lackadaisical approach, the bench directed the remaining corporations to come out with a scheme by June 19, adding that no extension would be granted in this regard.

The court's response came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by NGO Milun Saryajani, which has raised concerns over lack of toilets for women on streets.

Initially, the Pune Municipal Corporation was hesitant, but later it took various steps to provide toilets facilities for women. Impressed by the success of the Pune model, the HC had urged that it be replicated in all cities across Maharashtra.