Political interference and protest by local residents hampered the construction of eight smart toilets in city, hitting the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) modernisation efforts. Under the Smart City Project, the civic body has constructed 43 smart toilets, out of which construction of eight toilets was stalled. In several instances, work was forcibly abandoned after 30 per cent of the construction was done, leading to substantial financial losses for the civic body. The irony of the situation is stark. While local leaders and public representatives reportedly halted these projects under the guise of public concern during the administration’s tenure, a sudden shift has occurred following recent municipal elections. Now, many newly-elected corporators are showing renewed enthusiasm and are even demanding smart toilets within their own premises.

 

Kamlesh Chavan, Executive Engineer, District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) overseeing the smart toilet project, shed light on these operational challenges. He stated, “There were protests at many places regarding the construction of smart toilets. During the financial year, Rs 20 crore fund was sanctioned for smart toilets and the administration is working hard to give citizens the basic amenities which they deserve.” “However, now that the municipal elections have been held, many newly corporators are enthusiastic and they are demanding smart toilets in their own premises. Among those, some proposals have been received and necessary steps will be taken once the budget is approved,” said Chavan. Currently, city possesses only about 60 public toilets, a figure that lags far behind the national standard of one seat per thousand people.

 

While 22 of the 36 newly-constructed units and five aspirational toilets have been handed over for operation, and city’s rapid population growth demands much more. Continued opposition to these basic facilities by politicians is a ‘betrayal of the public’, who rely on such infrastructure for daily hygiene and urban dignity. Chavan further confirmed that the smart toilets are free, but still, some smart toilet operators show bias and charge money from women for using the smart toilets. Citizens are raising concern over this bias and no action has been taken against these operators. To become a smart city, our smart toilet operators should be honest instead of being oversmart with the citizens. 

 

 

The eight halted or abandoned projects were spread across several high-traffic areas, each facing unique obstacles:

 

Shani Mandir Road/Manas Chowk: Work stopped because the land belongs to the Ministry of Defence; a search for an alternative site is underway.

Chhatrapati Square: Construction was halted due to existing underground infrastructure, including multiple utility cables and ducts beneath the footpath.

Shatayu Hospital (Near Hitavada): Original site had to be changed, and an aspirational toilet was instead built on the other side of flyover.

Parampara Lawn Chowk (Bhandara Road): Work was 30 per cent complete before protests forced a shutdown; a proposal to shift the unit is being considered.

Nag Mandir (Umred Road): Work was halted and will be shifted to a new location.

Ambazari Garden Road (University Campus Chowk): The site is being relocated following protests from local residents. Pardi Naka: A Central Government aspirational unit worth Rs 53.51 lakh could not even begin due to opposition from local representatives.

Satranjipura: Work on a unit under the aspirational scheme at Khasra No 199/2 was blocked from the start.