Archive · 10 Jan 2026
Hyderabad Faces Public Toilet Crisis Despite ODF++ Status
Hyderabad, which was given a special award for being very clean in 2019, is now having a big problem with public toilets.
Many toilets are broken or not working, so people are using the streets instead.
This makes some places smell very bad, especially near parks and busy areas.
People are complaining that the city is becoming hard to live in because of this, along with other problems like traffic and pollution.
The people in charge of fixing the toilets say they don't get help quickly enough, especially when it rains and the bad smells get worse.
Hyderabad achieved ODF++ status in 2019 but now faces a public toilet crisis.
Only 1,383 out of 1,850 public toilets are functional, with many damaged or vandalized.
Areas like Punjagutta, NTR Gardens, and near Metro stations are particularly affected.
Residents and commuters complain of persistent urine stench and poor sanitation.
Maintenance delays and reluctance to use pay-and-use toilets exacerbate the problem.
- Who
- Residents and commuters in Hyderabad
- What
- Public toilet crisis and sanitation issues
- When
- Ongoing, with recent reports highlighting the problem
- Where
- Hyderabad, particularly in areas like Punjagutta, NTR Gardens, Secunderabad under-bridge, and near Metro stations
- Why
- Due to poorly maintained and vandalized public toilets, leading to open urination and sanitation problems
- ODF++ Status
- Achieved in 2019
- Total Public Toilets
- 1,850
- Functional Public Toilets
- 1,383
- Affected Areas
- Punjagutta, NTR Gardens, Secunderabad under-bridge, Paradise, Ameerpet, Raidurgam
- Maintenance Issues
- Delays and vandalism