A scathing audit by the Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party (BNP) across 21 wards reveals that Bengaluru’s public toilets are hotspots of exclusion, where poor maintenance, safety risks, and inaccessible designs deny basic dignity to millions.
For the average Bengalurean, finding a public toilet is a challenge; finding a usable one is a feat. Between November 2025 and late January 2026, the Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party (BNP) conducted an extensive “Big Toilet Survey,” auditing 38 public toilets across 21 wards.
The results, presented to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) on January 28, 2026, dismantle the official narrative of a “Swachh” (clean) city.
While most surveyed facilities were technically “open,” the audit found that only 45% were actually functional. The rest suffered from severe structural neglect, including broken latches, lack of running water, and non-functional lighting.
This gap between official data and ground reality highlights a systemic failure in how public utilities are monitored. When a facility is marked as operational on a government dashboard but remains locked or unusable due to filth, it isn’t just a maintenance issue-it is a breach of public trust.
Systematic Exclusion: The Invisible Barriers for PwDs
Perhaps the most damning finding of the BNP audit is the near-total exclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). A staggering 95% of the surveyed toilets were found to be completely unusable for those with mobility challenges.
Despite national guidelines mandating accessible infrastructure, 92% of the facilities featured steps at the entrance with no accompanying ramps. In the few locations where ramps did exist, they were often too steep or blocked by debris. Inside, the situation was worse: many “handicapped-friendly” stalls were being used as makeshift storerooms for cleaning supplies or were kept permanently under lock and key.
This architectural negligence effectively bars a significant portion of the population from participating in public life, forcing them to plan their commutes around the availability of private, accessible spaces-a “sanitation tax” on time and dignity.
A Crisis of Safety and Gender Equity
For women and transgender individuals, the audit paints a picture of fear and discomfort. 71% of the facilities were deemed unsafe for women. This assessment was based on several critical factors:
- Poor Lighting: Dark hallways and non-functional bulbs in cubicles.
- Lack of Supervision: Only 15% of the toilets had female caretakers present.
- Information Blackout: A total absence of emergency contact numbers or grievance redressal posters.
Furthermore, the audit highlighted the complete absence of dedicated or gender-neutral facilities for the transgender community. In a city striving for global status, forcing transgender citizens into gender-binary spaces-where they often face harassment-is a glaring human rights failure.
Additionally, the BNP noted a “gendered pricing” trend, where women are frequently charged for services that are free for men, or are overcharged without being provided a receipt.
Water Scarcity and the Tanker Dependency
The audit also delved into the sustainability of these facilities. In a city perpetually on the brink of a water crisis, the sanitation infrastructure is dangerously fragile. Most public toilets in Bengaluru rely entirely on private water tankers.
The BNP noted that there is almost zero integration of Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) or greywater recycling within these units. When tanker supplies are delayed, the toilets become unusable within hours, leading to the “locked door” phenomenon observed by many auditors.
The lack of a piped, sustainable water connection means that even the cleanest toilet is only one missed delivery away from becoming a public health hazard.
Accountability and the 30-Day Mandate
The BNP has not merely presented a list of grievances but has demanded a time-bound “30-Day Rectification Drive.” BNP General Secretary Srikanth Narasimhan and other members met with GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao M to demand:
- Ward-wise Mapping: All public toilets must be accurately geotagged and updated on Google Maps with real-time status.
- Universal Design: Immediate retrofitting of ramps and grab bars in every ward.
- Transparent Feedback: QR-code-based feedback systems at every exit to allow citizens to report issues directly to the GBA.
Official statements from the GBA have historically pointed toward the “outsourcing model” as the root cause of poor maintenance. However, the BNP argues that outsourcing does not absolve the government of its oversight responsibility.
The party has called for “Area Sabhas” or citizen committees to be given the power to audit these facilities monthly and withhold payments to contractors who fail to meet hygiene standards.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that public sanitation is the most basic yardstick of a government’s empathy toward its citizens. It is easy to build flyovers and tech parks, but the true character of a city is reflected in the cleanliness and safety of its most humble public spaces.
Bengaluru’s “0% score” in certain sanitation parameters during the Swachh Survekshan is not just a statistic; it represents a daily struggle for the street vendor, the bus commuter, and the person with a disability. We stand with the call for a 30-day overhaul.
We believe that sanitation is a matter of social justice-when we ignore public toilets, we are effectively telling the most vulnerable members of our society that they do not belong in our public spaces.
The time for bureaucratic finger-pointing between contractors and the GBA must end. We need a city that functions for everyone, not just those who can afford the “entry fee” of a private mall or café.
