Read Time: 04 minutes

Synopsis

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation plea seeking direction to the Delhi Government to construct new urinals and maintain urinals strategically throughout Delhi. The bench has directed the Delhi Government to file a status report within 3 weeks.

A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad took note of the submission made by the counsel appearing for the Delhi Government that all possible steps in this regard will be taken.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by an NGO, Jan Seva Welfare Society through Advocate Bankey Bihari stating that Delhi faces lots of troubles due to poor maintenance of public toilets which are set up at various places for public convenience.

Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted before the bench that there should be proper maintenance and lighting at the public urinals.

It has been alleged that public urinals are not properly maintained as there is a lack of hygiene. "Often proper sanitation is lacking which causes a disgusting atmosphere and also likely to cause infectious diseases and, thus, it may cause societal hazards," the plea added.

The plea submitted that the non-facilitation of clean and hygienic public urinals is a clear violation of the right to life and personal liberty of the public at large as promised under Article 21, Part III of the Constitution of India.

The plea has sought direction for the civic authorities to properly discharge their duties with regard to proper construction, cleaning, sanitation, and maintenance of public urinals in the NCT of Delhi.

Furthermore, it has been alleged that the Delhi Government is apathetic to the health hazards which may be caused due to poor maintenance of public toilets.

Case Title: Jan Seva Welfare Society Vs. Union of India & Ors.