Right in the heart of the city, amid the greenery of Aarey colony, about 100,000 people do not have proper toilet facilities. Clean India Journal took a peek into four of the cluster colonies inside Aarey. Commonly known as number 32 (but-tees number), houses over 25,000 people residing in several cluster colonies.
Out of the four colonies– Bin Biyana Mitra Mandal, Ekta Nagar, Sai Krupa Mithra Mandal and Bala Murugan Rahivasi Seva Mandal – Clean India Journal visited, none of them had direct water facility in the community toilets. A single small block consisting of three toilets each for men and women is being used by over 500 people in each cluster colony. With no water or electricity or proper doors, the toilets are in a dilapidated condition. “There is not scope for cleaning when there is no water. We have to carry water from our home,” lament residents.
“In the 20 years that I have been living here, no BMC karmachari has visited this place. We use the jungle to relieve ourselves,” said the elderly thatha.
So much being spoken about eradicating open defecation in the rural areas. Has no one noticed these people behind the bushes?