Cabinet nod for firms to construct toilets for advertising rights

The State Cabinet on Thursday gave its approval for the construction of 200 public toilets in Bengaluru by the advertising companies, in return for advertising rights.

Addressing a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said that a model formulated by the SAS advertising company was brought before the Cabinet earlier this year.

“While the company has said that it will construct 30 toilets and bathrooms in the Central Business District (CBD) in Bengaluru, the Cabinet decided that 200 such complexes were required to be constructed in the City. We have accepted the model proposed by the advertising company, but decided to proceed under a transparent mode of awarding such projects by way of calling for tenders,” Jayachandra said.

The company had quoted Rs 18 lakh per bathroom complex across 30 locations. “We are ready to give the advertising rights to all companies, not only SAS, even others who are interested,” the minister said.

Jayachandra had previously opposed the proposal, suggesting that it will create loss in revenue to the BBMP. The advertising company is said to have sought 10 years of advertising rights for the construction of these toilets. On whether there will be a user fee levied for using these public toilets, Jayachandra said that the proposal was still in its nascent stage.

The Cabinet also decided to seek the assistance of the Japanese International Co-operation Agency for laying underground drainage for 110 villages on the outskirts of Bengaluru.