Mumbai gets AC public toilet, questions raised on expenses

, Jan 7: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has opened an air-conditioned public

here which charges just Rs 4 for its usage. The toilet which occupies an area of 3,000 square foot is located at Dadar near Plaza Theatre and has five air-conditioners (two each in the gents' and ladies' sections and one in the waiting area). Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (

) chief Raj Thackeray inaugurated the toilet last Saturday.

MNS MLA Praveen Darekar said the luxury items in the toilet were mostly donated

But though common people have welcomed the initiative, the huge expenses behind setting up a luxurious public toilet has also created a controversy. Praveen Darekar, the MNS legislator who was behind the idea of the air-conditioned toilet, defended the initiative saying the expenses were within limits and equipment like the LCD television and sofa sets were donated by some people.

He said the toilet will help the women for many feel insecure to use roadside toilets and also those who come from other cities to get refreshed for a nominal price.

But not all are convinced. According to some social activists, more public toilets could have been set up by the amounts spent behind the luxurious items.

OneIndia News