Swachh Survekshan-2024: Fewer Toilets, Poor Upkeep; What Could Affect City’s Ranking

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Inadequate public sanitation infrastructure and poor maintenance of existing toilets could negatively impact Bhopal’s score in the final phase of Swachh Survekshan-2024. Of the total 12,500 marks, 1,200 are allotted for sanitation-related parameters. Public and community toilets form a major component, with a maximum of 750 marks.

According to the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city has 218 toilets comprising 143 public toilets, 62 community toilets, and only 13 urinals. Eight more toilets are under construction. However, a quick inspection reveals that only about 3 out of 10 public toilets meet the required cleanliness and functionality standards.

“Access to Sanitation” includes parameters such as regular cleaning, odour-free conditions, functional fixtures, and availability of soap, dustbins, and sanitary pads with proper disposal systems.

The city’s performance in this category will be evaluated with 300 marks each for public and community toilets, and 150 marks for urinals. The final assessment, including checks for Open

Defecation-Free (ODF) status and Water+ certification are currently underway. A central team from Delhi is conducting on-ground inspections, focusing particularly on public toilet facilities.

‘Not all toilets will be inspected’

Additional Commissioner Devendra Chauhan told Free Press that the team will only inspect those toilets that are uploaded by the BMC for the city profile.

Chauhan added that most toilets are being regularly cleaned and maintained. If any complaints come forward, the corporation takes immediate action to resolve them, he said.