Provide loos for women by April 30 or face action: Bombay High Court to civic bodies

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday warned that it would initiate appropriate proceedings against civic corporations for failing to follow its order directing them to provide public toilets for women at places that see high footfall.

A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and GS Kulkarni said there has been no compliance by the corporations and if by April 30 proper measures are not seen in place, a show cause notice of contempt would be issued.

The court was informed that of the proposed 48 toilet blocks to be constructed in Mumbai, only 14 have been built so far, while there has been zero compliance in Navi Mumbai. The court then remarked that it was to be a dream city and yet there are no facilities there. Holding that all corporations have done only partial implementation of its order, the court has asked them to inform on the next date by when they would provide the facilities.

The court had, in its order passed earlier while hearing a PIL filed by NGO Milun Saryajani, said that clean public toilets contribute to the health and well being of the society and that women need these facilities in public places.

The corporations have also been directed to ensure supply of water and electricity, cleanliness, security, tampon and sanitary napkin dispensers and disposal bins, provision for the disabled, cleaning equipment, signs indicating the location of public washrooms, etc.