Mumbai (The Hindu): Commuters are irked by the Railways’ move to renovate 21 toilets across stations on Mumbai’s suburban railway network.

On the Central Line, toilets at 12 stations (Dadar, Byculla, Chinchpokli, Currey Road, Bhandup, Mulund, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Nahur, Kurla, Masjid and Sandhurst Road), and nine stations on the Western Line (Marine Lines, Charni Road, Grant Road, Lower Parel, Elphinstone Road, Dadar, Mahim, Naigaon and Vasai Road) are being renovated.

At Dadar railway station, four toilets on platforms 1, 4, 5, and 6 are being renovated and three toilets each at Bhandup and Mulund stations have been demolished for renovation. At least two toilets at most stations are under renovation on the Western Line. Around three toilets each at Elphinstone Road and Vasai Road are under renovation.

Bad timing

Santosh Wagh, who commutes between Charni Road and Thane every day, said, “The timing of the renovation work is bad as passengers tend to use toilets a lot more during the monsoon season. Recently, I wanted to use the toilet on platform number 1 at Charni Road station and found that it had been completely broken down for renovation. I had to cross three platforms to reach the closest toilet.”

The Western Railway has 169 toilets for men, and 123 toilets for women at its stations from Churchgate to Dahanu Road. The Central Railway has 607 washrooms across its stations from Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus to Khopoli and Kasara. Subhash Gupta, president, Rail Yatri Parishad, said, “These many toilets exist only on paper. The number of operational toilets is very less. Toilets are a basic requirement of commuters. Instead of offering free Wi-Fi service, the Railways should ensure clean toilets at all stations.”

Railways officials say station masters and other staff members have been regularly receiving complaints about non-functional toilets. While most passengers register complaints orally, others insist on making an entry in the complaint diary. An official said, “At a few stations like Chinchpokli and Nahur most of the toilets are under renovation. This has inconvenienced women passengers the most.”

‘Modern facilities’

The Railways claims after renovation the toilets will be equipped with exhaust fans to drive away bad odour, liquid hand-wash dispensers, anti-skid tiles, and proper drainage facilities. A Central Railway official said, “The toilets are being renovated keeping the interests of passengers in mind. We are trying to finish the work as soon as possible.” Ravindra Bhakar, chief public relations officer, Western Railway, said, “We have ensured passengers are less inconvenienced by keeping at least one toilet operational at every station. This inconvenience will last only a few months, after which passengers will be able to use hygienic washrooms with modern facilities.”

A.K. Singh, Central Railway public relations officer, said, “The toilets at suburban stations are being renovated to provide better amenities to commuters.”