All Huda markets across Gurugram to get public toilets

MCG officials said that commissioner Yashpal Yadav was apprised of the abysmal state of public toilets in Huda markets by residents following which a meeting was conducted earlier this month.

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) will refurbish existing public toilets in all Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) markets across the city and installing mobile toilets in those markets where the facility is not available, said officials on Friday.

Officials said that the improvement of toilets are a part of MCG’s larger initiative to convert all markets into “model” markets. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

The poor condition of toilets has been a major issue in public markets, with many toilets reported to be locked and without running water supply. The issue was frequently brought to the notice of officials during several house meetings last year by councillors.

MCG officials said that commissioner Yashpal Yadav was apprised of the abysmal state of public toilets in Huda markets by residents following which a meeting was conducted earlier this month.

“Toilets are a basic need in any public place. Acknowledging this, the commissioner has directed the engineering wing to refurbish existing toilets in all Huda markets, and place mobile toilets where there are no toilets,” said Hariom Attri, joint commissioner of the MCG.

Attri said all eight executive engineers have been directed to ensure the condition of public toilets is improved in more than 40 Huda markets.

“The refurbishing of toilets and the task of adding mobile toilets will be done internally. The MCG will not be floating any tenders and hiring private contractors for the purpose. The executive engineers are equipped enough to carry out this task themselves,” said Attri.

Attri did not disclose a deadline or the projected cost for this task. Officials, however, said it is expected to cost less than ₹30 lakh for each toilet.

Officials said that the improvement of toilets are a part of MCG’s larger initiative to convert all markets into “model” markets.

A “model” market has certain mandatory standards such as requisite fire safety norms, parking space for over 100 vehicles, benches, streetlights, street vending zones, drinking water facilities and dustbins. They are also free of encroachments, makeshift shops and illegal hoardings.

Work in sector 57 Huda market has started in this regard, said MCG officials. There are 126 public toilets in the city. In July last year, the MCG had found that nearly 60% of them were operating without 24x7 water supply.

In March last year, following complaints by councillors during house meetings, the MCG commissioner himself found locked public toilets in three locations after an inspection of all MCG toilets were done. More than 60 toilets were found locked during the inspection.