Hyderabad: Public toilets turn banners as contractors live off ad revenue
Nabinder Bommala | TNN | Apr 22, 2019, 10:52 IST
The facilities at Balamrai check post, NTR Marg, Road No. 1 (Banjara Hills) and Uppal Main Road are among those that remain lockedHYDERABAD: Public washrooms in the city seem to have turned into advertisement banners. Several companies that bagged the contract to set up public restrooms keep them locked as they generate enough revenue from advertisers.
The washrooms near Balamrai Checkpost (Secundarabad), NTR Marg, Road number 1( Banajara Hills) and Uppal Main Road are some of the places where the washrooms remain locked. Land for the toilets was provided free of cost by the government so that more companies would come forward to set up the units.
“An individual pays less than Rs10 to use a public toilet. It is difficult for contractors to pay water and electricity bills using that money. Companies that make a lot through advertisements keep the restrooms locked,” said a source. Advertisers pay between Rs10,000 and Rs50,000 to the companies based on the location of the public toilet and the space allotted to the ad. Most companies that were given land by the government are charging people, but doing little for the toilets’ upkeep. Ironically, it is washrooms that do not charge money that are better maintained in the city. Similarly some petrol bunks that offer washroom services to people free of cost too take care of maintenance.
Several people TOI spoke to suggested the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) create an app that locates public washrooms.
“An exclusive app should be rolled out so that people can locate public washrooms,” said PM Sai Prasad, BJYM leader and RTI activist.
“People don’t know where the washrooms are located, sinages 50 km ahead are required for that people locate them. Even petrol bunks and hotels offering free washroom services for free should put up banners,” said Ranjith Kothari, a resident of Banjara Hills.
The washrooms near Balamrai Checkpost (Secundarabad), NTR Marg, Road number 1( Banajara Hills) and Uppal Main Road are some of the places where the washrooms remain locked. Land for the toilets was provided free of cost by the government so that more companies would come forward to set up the units.
“An individual pays less than Rs10 to use a public toilet. It is difficult for contractors to pay water and electricity bills using that money. Companies that make a lot through advertisements keep the restrooms locked,” said a source. Advertisers pay between Rs10,000 and Rs50,000 to the companies based on the location of the public toilet and the space allotted to the ad. Most companies that were given land by the government are charging people, but doing little for the toilets’ upkeep. Ironically, it is washrooms that do not charge money that are better maintained in the city. Similarly some petrol bunks that offer washroom services to people free of cost too take care of maintenance.
Several people TOI spoke to suggested the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) create an app that locates public washrooms.
“An exclusive app should be rolled out so that people can locate public washrooms,” said PM Sai Prasad, BJYM leader and RTI activist.
“People don’t know where the washrooms are located, sinages 50 km ahead are required for that people locate them. Even petrol bunks and hotels offering free washroom services for free should put up banners,” said Ranjith Kothari, a resident of Banjara Hills.
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