14 July,2025 10:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Amarjeet Singh
A locked toilet at Kharkopar station. PICS/AMARJEET SINGH
Nearly six years after the inauguration of Kharkopar and Bamandongari stations on the Nerul-Uran suburban railway corridor, basic sanitation facilities remain largely non-functional. Of the eight toilet units constructed at both stations, one at Kharkopar is partially operational and one at Bamandongari is operational. Despite an average daily footfall of 3500 to 4000 at Kharkopar and over 7000 at Bamandongari, commuters continue to suffer due to the lack of accessible public toilets.
A recent visit by mid-day revealed that not only are most toilets locked, but inside one partially functional unit, clothes belonging to the caretaker and his wife were left hanging to dry. In some of the shut units, grass has started growing from cracks in the floor, highlighting years of neglect.
While train services at both stations start as early as 6.30 am and continue until 10.20 pm, the only open toilet at Kharkopar operates from 8 am to 9 pm, leaving passengers with no access during most early morning and late-night hours. The situation is more severe at Bamandongari, where both toilets on the east side remain shut.
Commuters Speak
"I was pregnant a few months ago, and once during the rains, I urgently needed to use the toilet. It was locked. I had no choice but to go behind the bushes while my husband stood guard so no one would see me" said Praveena Naik, a resident of Sector-19 in Ulwe.
Mayur Nadar, a college student who travels daily to Dadar for theatre classes, was spotted urinating in the bushes outside the east side of Bamandongari station said, "Both toilets are shut here. What are we supposed to do? If we urinate in the open, people stare. But there's no other option."
Savita Pandey, a daily commuter from Kharkopar to Nerul, recalled the fanfare during the station's inauguration. "There was so much noise when the stations opened. Speeches, banners, selfies. But six years on, the public toilet is still locked. What's the point of such inaugurations when basic facilities are missing?"
Pooja Jadhav, a college student who travels daily to Nerul from Bamandongari, said, "I drink as little water as possible before travelling because I know there's no toilet available. It's unhealthy, but I don't want to face an emergency on the train." Sujata Kamat, a retired teacher, added, "It is not just inconvenient, it is undignified. It's as if women don't exist in their planning."
Who is responsible?
According to Prasad Pagare, deputy station manager of Kharkopar, the responsibility for the toilets lies with the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), not the Railways.
"CIDCO handed over the toilets to an NGO, Sant Jannabai Seva Sanstha, led by PV Patil. They hired caretakers who charge R5 per use, but due to low usage, many have left. On some days, they earn less than Rs 50," he said. Pagare added that in emergencies, passengers are unofficially redirected to the staff toilet on Platform 2.
When contacted, CIDCO PRO Priya Ratambe initially stated that the toilets fall under the jurisdiction of the Railways. However, when shown photographs of the locked facilities and poor maintenance, she said she had alerted the concerned engineer. "We are looking into it," she added.
Central Railway PRO Dr Swapnil Nila maintained that all stations beyond Vashi, including Kharkopar and Bamandongari, are under CIDCO's jurisdiction. "CIDCO handles the maintenance, including the toilets," he said.
Social activist Sachin Raje, who has repeatedly visited CIDCO's Bamandongari office regarding the issue, said, "After multiple complaints, they managed to open just one toilet. But the water supply remains a major problem. Nothing will move until both agencies stop pointing fingers and take joint responsibility."
