South Delhi civic officers to ‘adopt a toilet’ each

If a new project launched by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) succeeds, public toilets in the capital’s relatively affluent area may no longer be the dirty, stinking mess they are now.

If a new project launched by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) succeeds, public toilets in the capital’s relatively affluent area may no longer be the dirty, stinking mess they are now.

South Delhi Municipal Corporation is responsible for maintaining 600 toilets and urinals. (HT File Photo)

The SDMC has announced an ‘adopt a toilet’ project in areas under its jurisdiction, mandating all senior officials including the commissioner to take responsibility for maintenance and cleanliness of at least one toilet complex in a south Delhi neighbourhood.

The SDMC is responsible for maintaining 600 toilets and urinals. Most of these are in poor condition because of lack of regular cleaning and shortage of running water. The taps and seats are often stolen and broken.

SDMC commissioner Puneet Goel said officials will have to visit the complexes which comprise five toilet units, twice a day, besides conducting surprise checks. They will have to ensure that the public facilities are cleaned regularly and pull up the sanitation staff if they find them dirty.

“Despite best efforts, toilets are always dirty. But now we will assign an official and it will become their responsibility to report immediately in case any fittings are missing from the complex,” Goel said.

Goel has asked the department of environment management services to finalise the list of the officials to be responsible for public utilities in their neighbourhood. “So far, 350 officers have been identified for this task,” he said.

The corporation will also prepare a checklist on action taken against the sanitation staff and officials in case of negligence. “We will also award those officers who would do their job very well,” said a senior official.

Meeta Singh, additional commissioner, SDMC said the concept will increase a sense of belonging in area. “We have been given the convenience to choose complex close to our homes. It would be easier to visit the place twice in a day. Moreover, it would increase the pressure over the sanitation staff to maintain the place properly considering we can conduct surprise check any time,” she said.