Delhi HC asks for report on proper sanitation facilities

The Delhi High Court Wednesday directed civic bodies to submit a status report on projects to build proper sanitation facilities in various areas of the capital.

A bench of Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva directed the authorities to submit status reports with pictures on the work done by the next date of hearing March 11.

It said sanitation projects on the "model areas" will be then replicated in other areas of the city.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation said it has identified Shakti Nagar as the model area, while the South Delhi Municipal Corporation and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation said they have identified Defence Colony and Geeta Colony, respectively.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) said one circle has been identified and work has begun there with objective to finish work by March.

The Cantonment Board too said it has identified Sadar Bazaar area for the project.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by advocate Ashok Agarwal on the deplorable condition of public toilet facilities such as community toilet complexes and urinal blocks here.

The court directed all the corporations to start implementing their projects for proper sanitation and providing of appropriate number of public conveniences including their proper maintenance.

Agarwal contended that public toilets, whether they were provided by the three municipal corporations, the NDMC, or the cantonment board, were largely not in sanitary conditions and were extremely unhygienic.