Protests against toilet user fee at 12 metro stations in Bengaluru

On May 7, the BMRCL had signed an agreement with private organisation Sulabh International, outsourcing the maintenance of toilets located outside the paid area of 12 stations for five years.

Bengaluru: A group of citizens staged a protest outside the Vidhana Soudha metro station on Monday, demanding the rollback of the toilet user fee at 12 metro stations. 

They submitted a memorandum to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and demanded the withdrawal of the toilet user fees: Rs 2 for using the urinal and Rs 5 for the toilet. 

The group highlighted the lack of basic amenities like drinking water facilities at the metro stations and said it had filed a complaint against the BMRCL with the Lokayukta. 

On May 7, the BMRCL signed an agreement with private organisation Sulabh International, outsourcing the maintenance of toilets located outside the paid area of 12 stations for five years. 

The metro stations are: National College, Lalbagh, South End Circle, Jayanagar, RV Road, Banashankari, JP Nagar, and Yelachenahalli (all on the Green Line); Central College, Vidhana Soudha, Cubbon Park, and KSR Railway Station (on the Purple Line). 

A senior BMRCL official clarified that the toilet user fee was aimed at improving services and that no financial consideration was involved. 

"These toilets are located in the unpaid area. Anyone can use them. We had hired housekeeping staff, but received complaints of poor maintenance and theft. So, we signed this agreement (with Sulabh International). Since the organisation will maintain the toilets, it'll charge this fee," the official told DH.