Mira Bhayandar: Misused By Junkies & Drunkards, 'Smart' E-Toilets Stink Of MBMC Apathy

Mira-Bhayandar: Less than five years after the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) installed the much-hyped smart e-toilets across various residential and commercial locations in the twin-city, the pre-fabricated pay-and-use facilities are lying dysfunctional and neglected due to lack of maintenance and upkeep.

About The E-Toilets

Designed with a self-automated hygiene mechanism to make them hassle-free for users, eleven-coin e-toilets were installed by the civic administration spending more than Rs. 90 lakh in 2019. Armed with a self-cleaning and water conservation mechanism, the coin-operated unmanned e-toilets boasted of human sensor-based technology with automated access and self-flush control supported by a grey water recycling mechanism.

After smoothly operating for a few months, these toilets now paint a sorry picture of utter neglect and an unhygienic atmosphere with broken taps, cracked structures, no water, foul smell, and stains all around. Cigarette buts and empty bottles of liquor dumped in wash-basins and commodes reveal that these toilets are also frequented by drunkards, and junkies.

Statement Of A Senior MBMC Officer

“It seems that after the maintenance and defect liability contract inked with the provider ended; no new contractor has been appointed so far. I will check with the public works department (PWD) and do the needful.” said a senior MBMC officer requesting anonymity.

“Some of these toilets have become a den for anti-social elements raising security concerns for citizens-especially children and women," said local resident Sahil Rana. Moreover, the faulty locations earmarked for the installation of the automatic facility ignoring privacy, control, maintenance, and vigilance are also under question.