Pune’s ₹2 Crore High-Tech Toilets Now a Civic Failure
Pune’s ₹2 crore e-toilet project, once hailed as a futuristic public sanitation solution, now lies in shambles with only 3 out of 11 units functional. Awarded without a tender and lacking a long-term maintenance plan, the initiative has become a symbol of flawed planning and wasted taxpayer money. Civic activists are demanding accountability and practical alternatives.
Mrudula Narale
Pune, April 16, 2025 :
A Grand Vision Collapses
The project, awarded to Iram Scientific Solutions without a tender due to its “proprietary technology,” initially showed promise. The company installed the toilets and maintained them for a year, as per the contract. But once the maintenance period ended in 2019, the civic body was left stranded. The firm allegedly refused to transfer the technology, and with no other vendor equipped to handle the specialized systems, the toilets gradually fell into disrepair.
Despite PMC’s attempt in 2023 to revive some units by hiring Aditya Enterprises for repairs and maintenance at a cost of nearly ₹5 lakh, only three out of the original 11 toilets remain functional. The rest, scattered across key locations like Rupali Hotel, Sambhaji Garden, and Tingre Garden, now serve as nothing more than expensive urban relics.
Why Did the Project Fail?
The collapse of Pune’s e-toilet initiative raises serious questions about the city’s infrastructure planning. Civic activists argue that while the idea of high-tech sanitation sounded impressive, the reality was far from practical. Pune continues to suffer from a severe shortage of clean and accessible public toilets, making the focus on expensive, maintenance-heavy e-toilets a questionable priority.
Additionally, the decision to award the contract without a competitive bidding process has come under scrutiny. By relying on a single vendor with exclusive technology, PMC left itself with no backup when the company walked away.
“This is a classic case of poor foresight,” said Vivek Velankar of Sajag Nagarik Manch, the citizens’ group that brought the issue to light. “Public funds were spent on a project with no long-term sustainability.”
Public Funds, Zero AccountabilityThe ₹2 crore spent on these toilets came from MP Shirole’s MPLAD funds—money that ultimately originates from taxpayers. Yet, the lack of accountability in the project’s execution suggests a troubling indifference to fiscal responsibility.
“Just because the funds came from an MP’s quota doesn’t mean PMC can ignore due diligence,” Velankar added. “The city’s taxpayers deserve better.”
What’s the Way Forward?
With most e-toilets beyond revival, activists are demanding that PMC convert them into conventional, easy-to-maintain facilities. They also call for stricter oversight on contracts involving public money and a shift toward practical, scalable solutions rather than flashy but unsustainable experiments.
PMC officials have acknowledged the issue, with Municipal Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale stating that the matter will be reviewed.
“We will investigate why these toilets failed and explore cost-effective alternatives,” he said.
A Lesson for Urban Development
Pune’s e-toilet fiasco serves as a cautionary tale for other cities investing in “smart” infrastructure. Technology-driven projects may sound appealing, but without proper planning, maintenance, and accountability, they risk becoming expensive failures. As Pune grows, citizens hope the administration will prioritize reliable, accessible amenities over high-tech gimmicks that look good on paper but fail in practice.
