Panvel to be open defecation free by April, 12K toilets to be built

Panvel Municipal Council ( PMC) has under Swachch Maharashtra Abhiyan, geared up to make the city open defecation free.

It has also initiated steps to make Panvel a garbage-free city.

By March, 12,000 private and public toilets will be built in the city. New toilet buildings will be constructed at various places. There will be 28 such one-seat structures.

The PMC has made a provision in its annual budget for a defecation free city.

Under the Swachch Maharashtra Abhiyan, the civic body has surveyed houses which do not have toilets. It has initiated work on building toilets in the houses of those who defecate in the open.

PMC president Charusheela Gharat said, “Under the drive, 1,059 families have applied to PMC for construction of toilets in their houses. Of these, 1,036 have already been given the gov- ernment grant for construction of the toilet.”

She added, “The PMC has also collected details of those people, who do not have space to build a toilet. It will construct public toilets for them at 29 places and it has already called for tenders.”

Residents have welcomed the decision.

Ganesh Patil, a local resident, said: “Even as the city is transforming itself into a modern hub, the sight of people defecating in the open is an eyesore.”

He added, “Construction of these toilets will help eradicate the menace and also give a sense of dignity to all residents who are forced to defecate in the open.”