After mid-day’s report, one of two 70-seater toilets opened; locals say facility will enhance safety
The newly opened 70-seater public toilet at Unit 31, Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon East
Following a mid-day report highlighting how two 70-seater public lavatories inaugurated in 2023 were still locked, one of them has finally been opened to the public. The other is expected to be operational soon. Residents of Aarey Milk Colony’s slum pockets and tribal hamlets had long demanded functional toilets, citing the risk of encountering leopards while defecating in the open.
Sandeep Gadhave, Shiv Sena (UBT) shakha pramukh, in front of the newly opened facility. Pics/SATEJ SHINDE
Assistant Municipal Commissioner of P South ward, Ajay Patne, said, “The 70-seater toilet facility at Unit 31 has been opened following the completion of the water supply connection. We are also working to operationalise the 70-seater toilet at Unit 7 and expect it to be functional soon.” When mid-day visited Unit 31 on Tuesday, the toilet was found to be in use. A forest patch lies just a few metres away, and locals said the new facility means they no longer need to risk going into the open to relieve themselves.
The issue had earlier been raised by Shiv Sena (UBT) Shakha Pramukh Sandeep Gadhave, who had written to the AMC, urging that the toilets at Units 7 and 31 be opened immediately. On July 17, mid-day had reported that residents were baffled by the inauguration of toilets without water and electricity connections. Speaking to mid-day, Gadhave said, “I am happy to see the Unit 31 toilet finally opened, thanks to continuous follow-up by AMC Ajay Patne Saheb. I’ve also been informed that the Unit 7 toilet will open soon. This is a huge relief for residents, as it will cut down open defecation and reduce the risk of leopard encounters.”
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