Court raps Mumbai civic body for delay in providing toilets to slum residents

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday pulled up the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for its “uncooperative and insensitive” approach in addressing the acute shortage of toilets in slums in Mumbai’s Kalina.
The court stated that the civic body officials had “elevated the habit of discovering problems instead of finding solutions into a veritable art,” as the civic body failed to act on its commitment to provide more toilets in the area.
The bench of Justices MS Sonak and Kamal Khata emphasised the civic body’s constitutional obligation to address the issue and directed the BMC to install temporary toilet blocks within 15 days and complete permanent ones within three months.
The order came in response to a petition filed by slum residents of Kalina, who claimed that 1,600 people were sharing just 10 toilet blocks — six for men and four for women. The residents requested additional toilet blocks to meet basic sanitation needs. “These 10 blocks are woefully insufficient, even by the most frugal standards,” the court observed.
The BMC had previously told the court that it would build additional toilets but claimed it was awaiting a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) from the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA). However, MHADA informed the court that it had issued the NOC in 2023.
The court expressed displeasure with the BMC’s misleading statements, noting that despite receiving the NOC, the civic body continued to evade its obligations. “The BMC was only interested in discovering additional problems, leaving the residents deprived of necessities like toilet blocks,” the court said.
The bench also pointed out that as one of the wealthiest municipal corporations in the country, the BMC’s claims of financial constraints were not credible. It warned the civic body against citing excuses for further delays, such as tender processes or bureaucratic hurdles.
Holding the BMC commissioner personally responsible, the court directed him to ensure that temporary toilet blocks are installed by October 19 and permanent ones by early January. The case will be reviewed on November 14, when the BMC is required to submit a progress report.