Pune’s e-toilets, once neglected and vandalized, are getting a second chance. The Municipal Corporation will refurbish and reposition them with a ₹2 crore investment, prioritizing safety, accessibility, and public convenience.
Pune, April 21, 2025: In a renewed push for public sanitation, the municipal corporation has decided to revive its e-toilet project by allocating ₹2 crore from the Member of Parliament fund. This amount will not only go toward repairing the existing non-functional units but also for relocating them to safer, more suitable spots across the city.
These state-of-the-art e-toilets were originally installed at 11 prominent locations, including Jangli Maharaj Road, Senapati Bapat Road, Vimannagar, and near Wadia College, under the central government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The initiative, spearheaded by former BJP MP Anil Shirole, was aimed particularly at easing sanitation access for women on the go.
Despite the good intentions, poor upkeep and lack of surveillance meant that many of these toilets shut down over time. Some units were even vandalised, and parts reportedly stolen. With their purpose defeated, the facilities had been lying in disuse for years.
Now, the municipal corporation is taking concrete steps to bring them back to life. Not only will the existing e-toilets be repaired, but they will also be relocated to places with higher foot traffic and round-the-clock security presence, in hopes of preventing further damage or misuse. The repair work will be assigned to a private contractor through a new tender process.
This move signals a much-needed second chance for a project that, if executed right, can significantly improve access to clean public toilets in the city.