PUNE: The discarded PMPML buses, which have been converted into mobile toilets for women, are lying unattended on city roads. Women stepping out of home for some work face problem when it comes to answering the nature’s call.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had converted five discarded PMPML buses into public toilets for women under the ‘Ti’ (she) initiative. They were stationed at various spots in Aundh, JM Road and FC Road, in Bibvewadi and on Ganeshkhind Road.
However, these toilets are lying unattended while some of them are locked due to the absence of care takers. One such toilet was found locked in Aundh on ITI Road by civic activist Vijay Kumbhar on Wednesday.
The PMC has decided to convert around 100 more public transport buses into mobile toilets even as these five mobile toilets are not being operated properly.
When contacted, PMC’s solid waste management department head Suresh Jagtap admitted that there are no care takers for mobile toilets. However, he said the PMC will appoint new care takers. A tender has been floated inviting bidders.
“The contractor will generate income by selling space for advertising on the buses and against that, they will appoint attendants and also keep the toilets clean round-the-clock,” Jagtap said.
He said five more mobile toilets will be launched in a couple of weeks.
Apparently, the mobile toilets for women are not in use when the PMC is very much engaged in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet project Swachh Bharat Mission in the city.
NEW TOILET NEAR DAGDUSHETH GANPATI TEMPLE
The PMC has identified land for constructing a new public toilet near Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple after demolishing the old one. Mayor Mukta Tilak said the new toilet will come up near Mazoor Adda next to the temple.
