PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has installed a solar panel for the first time at a public toilet located in Bopodi area. Due to irregular power supply, the public toilets could not be used, particularly during night. The civic body renovated the old public toilet and installed the solar panel for uninterrupted power supply. This is the first such toilet in the city, which will get uninterrupted power supply.
Under Swachh Survekshan-2020, the PMC has provided all necessary facilities in this public toilet. They include sanitary napkin-vending machines, an incinerator, handwash, a mirror and a dryer along with other necessary things. The civic body has decided to give a makeover to 350 out of 1,221 public toilets in the city.
The solar panel idea was initiated by Aundh-Baner ward officer Sandeep Kadam. The toilet is located in Bopodigaon near Vitthal Mandir.
During the inauguration, Solid Waste Management Department Joint Municipal Commissioner Dyneshwar Molak said, “In the background of Swachh Survekshan-2020, we are committed to provide good facilities to people. Therefore, we are renovating old public toilets and providing facilities so that people can use them on a regular basis.”
He said, “We are going to provide the best facilities to the public at every toilet, which will have some unique features. Bopodi’s public toilet is one of them. Normally, all public toilets get power from a street light at night. There is no power supply during the daytime. Bopodi toilet will get 24x7 power supply.”
The toilet was recently inaugurated by local BJP corporator Vijay Shewale, Sunanda Wadekar and Dyneshwar Molak.
The PMC is taking steps to improve its rating under the Swachh Survekshan-2020. Improving existing public toilet facilities is a step in that direction.
The city slipped to 37th rank in the Union government’s Swachh Survekshan-2019. The issue was raised in the monthly General Body (GB) meeting. The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) agitated and demanded action against the consultant firm - KPMG, which was appointed by the civic body for proper documentation and improving the ranking of the city in the Survekshan. Shiv Sena, the coalition partner of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also criticised the performance of PMC. Civic activists also demanded an explanation from the civic body.
