Politics · India · 3 hrs ago
Mumbai proposes higher fees for public pay-and-use toilets
Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has proposed new toilet fees for public pay-and-use facilities.
Urinal use would cost Re 1, while toilet charges would rise from Rs 2 to Rs 5 and bathing fees from Rs 5 to Rs 10.
The changes follow concerns from operators about rising cleaning and maintenance costs.
The BMC built Mumbai’s 846 public pay-and-use complexes, but private agencies and non-governmental organisations run them and cover day-to-day expenses.
The proposed extra revenue would stay with operators to support upkeep.
The higher charges are meant for public pay-and-use toilets; fees at community toilets may remain unchanged.
The BMC is also working on a policy for toilet repairs, renovation and new facilities, with digital monitoring and a complaints system planned.
Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has proposed charging Re 1 to use urinals that are currently free and raising public toilet fees from Rs 2 to Rs 5.
The proposal also raises charges for bathing facilities from Rs 5 to Rs 10.
The revised rates would apply to public pay-and-use toilet complexes, while fees at community toilets may remain unchanged.
The BMC says higher charges would help operators meet maintenance costs, and that the additional revenue would remain with them.
Mumbai has 846 public pay-and-use toilet complexes managed by private agencies and non-governmental organisations.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation proposed the fee changes for users of public pay-and-use toilets.
- What
- It proposed a Re 1 urinal fee, raising toilet charges from Rs 2 to Rs 5 and bathing charges from Rs 5 to Rs 10.
- When
- The proposal was reported on October 13 and 14, 2026.
- Where
- Mumbai.
- Why
- The BMC says the changes would help operators meet rising maintenance and operating costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Moneycontrol reported that the BMC had proposed the fee changes for public toilet facilities.
The Indian Express and Urban Acres reported details of the proposed charges and their stated maintenance rationale.
- Urinal fee
- Proposed Re 1; currently free
- Toilet fee
- Proposed increase from Rs 2 to Rs 5
- Bathing fee
- Proposed increase from Rs 5 to Rs 10
- Public pay-and-use complexes
- 846
- Community toilet complexes
- Around 8,173; 3,110 managed by the BMC
3 sources
What people are saying
While the development is carried out by the BMC, the public toilets are managed by private sansthas. They are left to manage the toilets on their own, which entails bearing the costs of cleaning, washing the premises, repairing any small or big damages, amongst other commercial charges. Besides this, the entities also appoint a caretaker to manage the premises, which further increases the operational charges for them.