Have enough toilets, can’t keep bins at all metro stations: DMRC

Toilet facilities have been installed at all the 160 metro stations in the Capital but – due to security reasons – only a few possess garbage bins, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) disclosed on Monday

Toilet facilities have been installed at all the 160 metro stations in the Capital but – due to security reasons – only a few possess garbage bins, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) disclosed on Monday. The statement comes ahead of a petition seeking the installation of these facilities at metro stations in the NCR region, to be heard by the Delhi high court on Monday.

Garbage bins have not been installed at every metro station due to security reasons (Hindustan Times)

“All our metro stations have toilet facilities. While most of the metro stations have toilets managed by organisations such as Sulabh International, others have staff toilets that can be used by commuters,” said a DMRC spokesperson.

Corporation officials said that though toilet facilities were not part of the initial plan, they were included in phase 2 and 3 on the basis of user feedback.

Garbage bins have not been installed at every metro station due to security reasons, the spokesperson said. However, transparent bins have been provided at all the major stations, such as Kashmere Gate, Mandi House, Rajiv Chowk and Inderlok, he added.

The DMRC said that adequate arrangements have also been made for quenching the commuters’ thirst.

“Almost all the stations have drinking water facilities in the form of kiosks and shops. But if anyone does not want to buy water from there, they can ask our staff and it will be provided free of cost,” an official said.

PK Sarkar, head of the transport department at the School of Planning and Architecture, said it was imperative that metro stations possess such facilities. “All international metro systems have toilets, garbage bins and drinking water facilities… so commuters can use them during long journeys,” he said.

Kush Kalra, a resident of the city, had filed a PIL in the Delhi high court, contending that metro stations in the NCR region do not have adequate public facilities – such as toilets, drinking water fountains and garbage bins – to cater to its huge commuter base. The court had then sought a response from DMRC authorities.