The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) is struggling to implement its ambitious sanitation project under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, as local residents and political leaders continue to oppose the selection of sites for new public toilets. Out of the 150 planned units intended to bolster the city’s hygiene infrastructure, the corporation has managed to finalise locations for only 50. The project, which carries a budget of approximately Rs 4 lakh per unit, aims to provide 160-square-foot (8x20 ft) facilities across all 85 wards. While tenders have been floated for 106 toilets in high-demand areas, the ground reality remains complicated by persistent public pushback. The primary driver of the opposition is a fear of urban decay. Residents in various neighbourhoods have expressed concerns that a lack of a clear maintenance roadmap will lead to these facilities becoming unhygienic eyesores.

 

Unlike existing community toilets managed by dedicated caretaker agencies, the BMC has yet to clarify the upkeep mechanism for these new modular units. This uncertainty has resulted in the cancellation of nearly 30 proposed sites following formal objections. The dispute over land and site selection has moved beyond neighbourhood arguments and into the courtroom. At least four cases regarding site disputes are currently under litigation. To mitigate further conflict, BMC officials have adopted a ‘safety-first’ approach, only initiating construction at sites Mayor Malti Rai addressed the delays, stating that the project remains a priority under the central scheme. “The construction of public toilets and urinals under AMRUT 2.0 is actively being carried out across the city. Work has already commenced at the identified locations where the tendering process is complete,” Rai said. The Mayor added that the identification of additional sites is an ongoing process, and construction will be initiated as soon as new locations are secured.