A proposal on generating revenue through construction of toilets at prominent and busy junctions by a private firm, which is in the business of finding platforms for advertisements, was shot down by the State cabinet on Saturday.
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had placed the proposal of SAS Advertisers for construction of 30 toilets on PPP mode before to the State cabinet.
The private firm had identified busy and prominent circles/junctions, such as Trinity Circle, Mekhri Circle, near Utility Building on M G Road, Sankey Road junction, in front of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research on Bannerghatta Road, Race Course Road, Kamaraja Road, for construction of toilets.
At each spot, the firm proposed to construct a toilet complex at a cost of Rs 50,000, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra told presspersons after the Cabinet meeting. Now, bus stands are being used to generate revenue through display of advertisements.
The cabinet, which discussed the note in detail, rejected it outright citing that the revenue generating model would benefit only the private firm and not the BBMP, which is starved of funds. The cabinet directed the civic body to identify suitable places for construction of toilets and auction them, the Minister said.
The city has about 500 public toilets but they are unevenly distributed. Many of them are not in working condition. The city, it is said, needs at least 15,000 toilets.
