Hyderabad citizens urge government to address public toilet shortage
Hyderabad: Citizens in Hyderabad are increasingly calling for the installation of more public toilets. They cite issues of open urination on roads, which has created significant hygiene and sanitation concerns. This practice impacts not only pedestrians but also nearby businesses, making the environment unpleasant and unsanitary.
Santhana Selvan, the Bicycle Mayor of Hyderabad, spoke with Hyderabad Mail about the importance of addressing this issue. He highlighted that sanitation is the foundation of hygiene, which in turn is essential for public health and happiness. "Every commuter needs access to a restroom during their journey. The lack of facilities, especially for women, is a growing concern," Selvan said. He urged the government and municipal authorities to install restrooms every 1 km within the city to promote active mobility.
The Bicycle Mayor also highlighted the widespread issue of open urination, sharing his observations on social media. In a post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Selvan pointed out areas where people frequently urinate, noting the unbearable smell and the negative impact on residents and businesses. He called on the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to take action, tagging local officials in his post.
If we go around the city, you can easily find these spots, where lot of people urinate. When you cross this space, you cannot bear the smell. Imagine people living near by or doing business.
Simple solution is to setup a #Toilet - requesting @CommissionrGHMC @ZC_Khairatabad… pic.twitter.com/V4XOQjbLIW
— Bicycle Mayor of Hyderabad (@sselvan) January 16, 2025
M.A. Ahmed, a local resident, raised concerns about the maintenance of existing public toilets. He explained that many locations have become habitual spots for urination due to poorly maintained facilities. Commercial areas like Ranigunj have toilets that are rarely cleaned or serviced, making them unsuitable for use. Ahmed suggested installing bio-toilets in key locations such as Tank Bund and criticized the lack of garbage bins, which contributes to widespread littering and sanitation issues.
Yes, even in serilligampally too. Even after repeated complaints they are not taking any action. I just gave up finally. At least one person should have shame right. Either the complainer or the officer.
— Sarat chandra (@Tnsarat) January 16, 2025
To address these problems, Ahmed proposed a multi-faceted solution, including public awareness campaigns, better maintenance of existing facilities, more vigorous enforcement of anti-littering laws, and greater infrastructure for waste management and public toilets.
Sai Teja, another resident, echoed similar concerns. He acknowledged that the Swachh Bharat campaign had led to the installation of public toilets with funding from the central and state governments. However, he stressed that simply installing toilets is not enough. The government must ensure their proper upkeep to prevent unpleasant odors and encourage use. Teja also suggested adopting automated systems for toilet maintenance, similar to those in some foreign countries.
The demand for public toilets in Hyderabad is growing as residents seek improved hygiene and sanitary conditions in the city.
