Pune News | Sanitation Struggle in Pune: Activists Turn to Human Rights Commission

Pune: Pune News | The city’s e-toilet project, initiated by the PMC and launched by former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anil Shirole in 2018, aimed to install 23 e-toilets at 11 different locations in the city. However, despite the launch, most of these e-toilets have become defunct, causing inconvenience to thousands of citizens. Only two e-toilets, located at FC Road and Hirwai Garden, are currently functional.

Residents and social activists in Pune are expressing anger over the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) lack of action in providing basic sanitation facilities, leading them to approach the State Human Rights Commission. The complaint was filed by Krunnal Gharre, a resident of Bavdhan, on behalf of a citizen’s group on July 19.

Gharre, the complainant, urges the municipal authorities to recognize the gravity of the situation and take immediate action. Access to clean and functional public toilets is a basic necessity that directly impacts public health, hygiene, and human dignity.

Residents have to protest for basic human rights even as women, children, and senior citizens get adversely affected by this situation. The lack of operational e-toilets infringes on their dignity and violates basic human rights. Moreover, with the city’s population increasing, the already limited number of toilets is insufficient to meet the needs of the people.

According to Asha Raut, PMC’s head of the solid waste department, a private organization has been chosen to run the e-toilets, and initially, five e-toilets will be made operational depending on their performance assessment. The agency will thereafter be tasked with running the remaining toilets. However, stealing has targeted the e-toilets, and the doors of two toilets were taken, forcing their closure.

Raut expressed hope that if the response to the e-toilets is positive, all toilets will be made functional. Additionally, the PMC has decided to make the option to insert coins for using the e-toilets voluntary.