Mumbai’s public toilets: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde takes officials to task during SRA Colony surprise visit – Times of India

MUMBAI: During a surprise visit on Sunday to an SRA (Slum Rehabilitation Authority) Colony in Kurla’s Nehru Nagar in Mumbai, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde took municipal officials and civic appointed cleaning contractors to task for not adhering to an earlier directive of cleaning public toilets five times a day.
Shinde was almost on the verge of issuing directions for suspending an official.
However, he said that henceforth if such conditions are observed, strict action would be taken.
A local from the SRA Colony area said that Shinde’s impromptu visit to the colony in Kurla sent shock waves through the civic administration.
Upon inspection, it became evident that the cleanliness standards were far from meeting the chief minister’s expectations.
Municipal commissioner IS Chahal was directed to either issue a show-cause notice or suspend officials in localities where public toilets were not being cleaned five times in a day.
The CM was upset after watching the sorry state of the colony’s toilets and the surrounding area, with unsanitary conditions and unpleasant odor.
Shinde asked locals whether the toilets were being cleaned regularly in the day to which they replied negatively.
“The CM called for the effective implementation of regular cleaning schedules, not just in prominent areas of Mumbai, but also in internal roads, narrow lanes, and slums,” said an official adding that the BMC chief Chahal had in earlier meetings asked officials to ensure that public toilets were repeatedly cleaned.
However, the CM’s visit showed that the same was not being done.
The Shinde issued clear instructions to BMC commissioner Chahal, emphasizing the urgent need for a cleaner and more hygienic environment.
It may be recollected how the Chahal had last month ordered off a ward officer after Shinde unexpressed his dissatisfaction over the uncleanliness along the Mazagon Dock area.
The same order was later stayed.