Unhygienic, locked toilets plague key markets across Gurugram

Spot checks in sectors 56, 46, 14, 31 and 40 found broken urinals, no water, locked women’s toilets and lack of maintenance across facilities.

Residents and shopkeepers have flagged the dilapidated condition and shortage of public toilets in several markets across the city, forcing people to use the unhygienic facilities.

MCG says 133 toilets exist with ₹15 lakh upkeep budget; revamp underway since December with 25% work done and new tenders soon. (HT Photo)

HT conducted a spot check on Saturday at markets in sectors 56, 46, 14, 31, and 40 and found public toilets in poor condition.

At Sector 56, one of the city’s key commercial hubs and popular for street food stalls, receiving thousands of visitors daily, HT found that the public washroom was in poor condition, with broken urinals, a lack of water supply, and no sanitary napkin dispenser.

Omprakash Yadav, a shopkeeper in the market, said people are forced to use the unhygienic toilet. “The toilet is not maintained with a foul smell. Most of the shops do not have their own toilets. Shopkeepers, along with street vendors, are forced to use these facilities,” he said.

Yadav said there are nearly 200 shops in the market alone, underscoring the need for more well-maintained toilets.

At Sector 31 market, the women’s toilet was found locked. When asked, nearby shopkeepers and locals said the facility usually remains closed and opens only on request. They added that anyone wishing to use the toilet must approach maintenance staff to have it unlocked.

Satish (single name), 38, who looks after the maintenance of the public toilet, said he was hired by the market association of Sector 31 and not by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG). “The money collected from toilet users is my salary. I am not paid by the MCG. From this amount, I also have to buy toilet cleaners,” he said.

The public toilet at Sector 40 market was also in a similar condition. A woman who had just stepped out of the facility, covering her face with a cloth, said the condition of the toilet was alarming. “This is not a public toilet but a place that can give you diseases,” she said.

Abhimanyu Yadav, RWA president of Sector 40, said that the public toilets require urgent repair and maintenance. “It’s a nightmare for our sector’s shopkeepers, who are working every day from morning to night, to use them,” he said.

Dilapidated condition of public toilets in Sector 56 market, as seen on Saturday. (HT)

The public toilet facility in Sector 46 market was in a similar condition. However, Sector 14 had two public toilets. One was in a better condition, while the other was in a dilapidated state.

“How can Swachh Bharat or Viksit Bharat be achieved if basic infrastructure is ignored and left in such poor condition?” said Vikas Arora, a resident of Sector 14.

Dilapidated condition of public toilets in Sector 56 market, as seen on Saturday. (HT)

According to MCG officials, the city has 133 public toilets, and the corporation spends almost ₹15 lakh on their upkeep. Usually, the users have to pay ₹5 and ₹10 to use the toilet facilities.

Sonia Yadav, ward councillor for Sector 56, said that renovation work on the public toilets will begin within the next week. “The toilets will be revamped with improved facilities for both visitors and shopkeepers,” she said.

In response to locals’ concerns, Sundar Sheoran, executive engineer at MCG, said toilet revamp work started last December and almost 25% of the work has been completed. “To expedite the work, fresh tenders will be floated next month. This will include renovation and construction of new toilets,” he added.