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Now, Mumbaiites have to pay Re1 to use urinals at Churchgate, Charni Road, Grant Road stations
Within six months, Borivli, Andheri and Bandra stations will also charge commuters for urinals.
After the Central Railway, the Western Railway started charging Re1 for use of urinals and Rs2 for toilets at Churchgate, Charni Road and Grant Road from Monday.
Within six months, Borivli, Andheri and Bandra stations will also charge commuters for urinals.
The charges are being applied on the stations that have urinals and water closets for toilet. WR authorities plan to separate urinals and WCs within next six months. The urinal charges are being applied on a trial basis for a year and after the response from passengers the plan may be extended to other stations.
Meanwhile, passengers’ associations have opposed the move. It may even force some passengers to urinate in the open, they said. “It is uncalled for to charge anything as a commuter is already paying for the ticket.” Lata Argade, vice-president of Railway Pravasi Mahasangh.
Subhash Gupta, president of Rail Yatri Sangh, said that urinal facility outside New Delhi station is free. “Why is there a difference between commuters in Mumbai and Delhi? Washroom facility just adjacent to New Delhi railway station is free and passengers in Mumbai have to pay Re 1 or Re 2. This is totally not fair. It is okay to charge for deluxe or AC washrooms but not urinals which are always dirty,” said Gupta.
WR authorities are also approaching companies which would help them keep washrooms clean.
The Central Railway started charging Re 1 for urinals in 2016. It also received backlash from commuters’ associations.
