The 'Mumbai is Open Defecation-Free' claim has been punctured of late, with incessant reports about how the city still goes in the open. Yet, we do appreciate the attempts to make the city open defecation-free, and all attempts need to be encouraged and applauded.

The civic authorities need to look sharp on some fronts though, especially access to toilets. Attempting to be an open defecation-free city, but without access to public toilets is counter-productive. Following reports in this paper, the civic body sent mobile toilets to the areas in question, but the purpose seemed defeated because the loos are locked.