BENGALURU: Water scarcity has had an effect on public toilets too in Namma Bengaluru. Next time when you head to a public toilet, carry extra change as those managing them are demanding double the amount.
Till recently, public toilets operated by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), charged visitors Rs 2 for urination and Rs 5 for defecation. But ever since water shortage has hit the city, rates have gone up to Rs 5 and Rs 10 respectively. Also, water is given in small buckets and one has to pay extra for additional water.
Toilet operators blame drying up of borewells and shortage of water for charging extra. They say water tankers have jacked up prices, increasing operational costs of running these public toilets.
A BMTC bus driver said that though the charges have gone up, public toilets continue to be dirty, stinky and unhygienic. Some toilets have stopped bathing services, while others have shut temporarily because of shortage of water, he added.
A person, who operates a public toilet at Majestic, said, “We require three tankers of water per day and the cost of each tanker of water is Rs 5,000. It has impacted our earnings, most of which are being used to cover water expenses.”
BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath was not available for comments.