Assertions by the BJP government that it is transforming Delhi into a ‘World City’ and ‘ODF++’ certifications for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) collide sharply with the grim reality of the city’s public toilets. Data from the Praja Foundation (2024) reveals a staggering deficit: only 1 toilet seat for every 9,767 men and 10,343 women.

Newslaundry’s investigation into public toilets across localities, including Mayur Vihar, Batla House, Badarpur, Sarita Vihar, Mandi House, and Laxmi Nagar, reveal a state of total collapse. Passing by a public toilet in these parts often means encountering a noxious, unbearable stench. These facilities frequently lack water, functional taps, and even doors. Toilets in the women's sections are often bolted or invaded by men, while persons with disabilities encounter facilities filled with refuse.

In Mandi House, for example, Newslaundry found that the neglect was particularly jarring. Here, the women’s section features a sanitary pad vending machine, but matchsticks and cigarette butts block the dispenser slot. For persons with disabilities, we found the facility filled with empty liquor bottles and burnt bidis. This crisis persists despite a Union government survey finding that 55 percent of toilets are non-functional – a finding that directly challenges Delhi’s high cleanliness rankings.

Watch this extensive ground report on the shocking state of public toilets in the city. 

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