After water supply to six-seater public toilet built by BMC and Salman Khan’s foundation eight years ago stops, caretaker’s family decides to use it as their residence instead; locals urge BMC to fix situation
Lalita Rane (in green saree) and her aunt, Janki, who reside in the women’s section of the facility. PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
A visit to one of the two public toilet blocks that were inaugurated by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in 2017 in Aarey Milk Colony revealed that the facility’s condition has deteriorated severely. One portion of the public lavatory, located at Unit 30 near Film City’s back gate, has been encroached upon by a family who claims it was appointed to look after the toilet block.
When mid-day visited the site, a woman named Lalita Rane was seen washing clothes while her aunt, Janki, was sleeping in the women’s section of the toilet block, which had been converted into living quarters and a storage space.
The six-toilet facility at Unit 30 in Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon, on Tuesday
Lalita told mid-day, “I was born here [Aarey Milk Colony], and even my mother-in-law, Kamaldevi Rane, who was previously handling the toilet’s maintenance, was born and brought up in this area. She passed away two years ago. The BMC first constructed this toilet years ago, demolished it, and then rebuilt it. Salman Khan also attended the inauguration. For years now, the BMC has not maintained it.
There is no water connection, and no funds have been provided to keep it running. Drug addicts are often seen in the area, posing a threat to our lives. We dug a small well nearby, which we use for bathing and washing utensils. If the BMC provides water and funds for maintenance, this toilet can serve the public again.”
Her aunt added, “We use this part of the toilet for sleeping and storage. There is no electricity or water connection. The women's section is unsafe — all the doors are broken, so we had to permanently close it. We request the BMC and Salman Khan to look into this matter and help us.”
Situation on the ground
The section of the toilet block that was not encroached was in an appalling state, lacking basic hygiene, water supply, and even doors. The premises were littered with gutkha packets, alcohol bottles, and cigarette butts. Additionally, the commemorative stone plaque listing details of the inauguration and those involved was missing.
The six-toilet facility at Unit 30 in Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon East. PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
Shiv Sena (UBT) Shakha Pramukh Sandeep Gadhave, from Aarey Milk Colony, said, “Salman Khan had inaugurated two six-toilet public lavatories — one at Madraspada and another at Unit 30. Unfortunately, the latter one has deteriorated drastically due to the authorities’ neglect. One side has been encroached upon by a family and turned into a home. The other half is unusable due to a lack of water, doors, and maintenance, compelling people to relieve themselves in the open. The Aarey CEO and BMC must repair the toilet on an urgent basis.”
A resident said, “At night, the area near the Film City gate is frequented by drug addicts and anti-social elements. No one wants to go there. A family has taken over a part of the toilet. Why don’t the BMC, Aarey CEO, and police take action?”
Vinod Eknath Kamble, a local, said, “We’re forced to urinate on the road or in the forest due to the lack of toilet facilities. Drug addicts roam around at night. It's risky for our families, but we have no option. We are helpless and forced to use toilets located far away from our homes.”
Official speaks
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Kiran Dighavkar said, “Aarey Milk Colony falls under Sanjay Gandhi National Park’s Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) and is administered by the Aarey CEO. In order to carry out repairs or maintenance, permissions from the CEO’s office and the ESZ monitoring committee are needed. When we developed the toilet block for public use in 2017, we took permission from the CEO of Aarey Milk Colony. We will repair and maintain the public toilet after obtaining the CEO’s approval.”
Lalita Rane (in green saree) and her aunt, Janki, who reside in the women’s section of the six-toilet public lavatory at Unit 30 in Aarey Milk Colony
Meanwhile, Rahul Kanal, president of I Love Mumbai Foundation and member of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), said, “We hope that the authorities take note of the issue and address it at the earliest. Due to issues related to permissions from the Aarey CEO’s office and the forest department, the BMC was unable to provide a water connection, and we had arranged for a tubewell outside the public toilet.”
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