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Synopsis

The Bombay High Court has asked the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), Railway authorities, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to take prompt and adequate steps for the construction of toilets outside the Bandra East Railway Station.

The division bench of the high court, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, was hearing a PIL filed by KP Purshothamna Nair, who sought the construction of toilets outside the station for commuters.

The counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that toilets were in existence outside the Bandra East Railway Station before, but they were demolished following the construction of a dispensary. He added that the demolition has caused significant inconvenience to commuters.

The petitioner also informed the court that he had made a representation to the municipal commissioner via email, which was processed, but no steps were taken to provide the necessary toilet facilities.

The counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) informed the bench that the petitioner's representation would be considered by the corporation. The bench was also informed that the land in question was owned by the Railways and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

The bench, while disposing of the petition, directed the Municipal Corporation to take prompt steps to provide toilet facilities outside Bandra East Railway Station.

“We dispose of the petition with a direction to the appropriate authority in municipal corporation to take adequate and prompt steps to provide the facility of toilets at Bandra East railway station in cooperation with railway and MMRDA,” the order reads.

The bench also observed that the Railways and the MMRDA shall also provide full cooperation for the construction of the toilets.

“The railway and MMRDA are expected to extend the fullest cooperation to the corporation. We further provide that if the cooperation of any non-governmental organization is felt needed, the same can also be taken so that the facility of toilet is provided and commuter's grievance is redressed," the order states.

Case title: KPP Nair vs MCGM & Ors