Maharashtra is looking to construct around 400 toilets on its state highways for which the Public Works Department (PWD) has identified 160 locations. The department has also received forty proposals from around three public sector oil companies to set up toilets in the petrol pumps coming up on the highways.
The three public sector oil companies include Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL). These companies will look to develop toilets, as well as restaurants and ATMs in the lands given to them on lease by the PWD.
Along with building toilets, the agencies responsible will look at maintenance and security for the next three years. Women Self-Help Groups will also be contacted for help with maintenance. The toilets once built, can be located by a mobile app.
The PWD also expects the number of proposals to increase, and the rest of spots will be identified by the PWD, with the help of the state revenue department. The toilets are going to be at an interval of 100 km or approximately one and a half hours travel time.
Moreover, this comes after World Menstrual Hygiene Day. The government promises that each toilet will be equipped with sanitary pad vending machines. The toilets will also be equipped with an incinerator to dispose off used sanitary pads.
Finally, citizens would not have to go through the bad-smelling, dilapidated toilets that the Indian Highways are notorious for. This initiative also promotes ‘Swach Bharat Abhiyan’ and discourages open defecation. This will reduce the number of people defecating in the open as they are either uncomfortable with the toilets or cannot find any. This initiative will also help the elderly who would frequently want to use restrooms, and who would prefer to travel by private vehicles.
