Ensure Public Toilets Are Clean, Hygienic And In Order: Delhi High Court To Authorities

The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to ensure that the public urinals and toilets in the national capital are clean, hygienic and in order.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Jan Sewa Welfare Society to ensure availability of hygienic public urinals with clean water and electricity supply in the city.

“The MCD and DDA are directed to ensure that the public urinals and toilets are clean, hygienic and in order,” the court ordered.

The bench also asked the civic authorities to appoint one officer in-charge of each toilet for its monitoring.

As the petitioner's counsel submitted that some of the public toilets do not even have electricity, the bench remarked:

“You appoint officers having some responsibility. Appoint one officer in charge of each toilet so that someone monitors it.”

The court granted one last opportunity to the authorities to file their replies in the matter and listed it for hearing on January 29, 2024.

Recently, the court had called for implementation of a complaint reporting system for public toilets for ensuring that such conveniences are maintained with proper sanitation standards.

The court had said that the civic authorities i.e. DDA, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board, must validate that the displayed contact numbers are operational, so as to ensure that public can report any concerns or inconveniences directly.

Observing that the concerns raised by the petitioner society are significant and warrant attention, the bench had observed that it is incumbent upon the authorities to ensure that public toilets and conveniences are maintained with proper sanitation standards.

The plea seeks directions on the respondents to inspect all available and functionally constructed public urinals in Delhi and to initiate steps for construction of more public toilets.

It states that the general public in Delhi face various issues due to poor maintenance of public toilets which are not properly maintained and also lack hygiene. It adds that lack of proper sanitation causes “disgusting atmosphere” and infectious diseases which may cause societal hazards.

Title: Jan Seva Welfare Society (Reg.) v. Union of India and Ors.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 1265