Public toilets in India are often scarce in number, ill-maintained and lack basic hygiene. The stench is pretty much in the air. They do not have adequate supply of water. Whether it is a marketplace or any other public place, it is so hard to find public toilets.
Now think about women. For them, it is much more a miserable situation. Even in the best of shopping or market places, you will see utter disregard to the fact that toilets for females are much more scarce than for men.
Why we do not find decent public toilets in India? Is it such a hard thing or is it just our apathy? In the last many decades, we have witnessed environmental degradation and increasingly uncontrolled sanitation issues in our country. Garbage is rampant. Garbage disposal never seems to be our priority - be it small towns or big towns.
The municipalities - civic bodies responsible for sanitation- across the country are den of corruption and lack accountability. Then, environmental pollution adds to the misery.
All this creates a very poor situation that takes its toll on human health and quality indices.
Is this symptomatic of our apathy as a nation, and as a civilization? Or is it that we are a helpless nation, unable to deal with these kind of problems even when technology is available to help?
Please feel free to give your opinions.
It’s so difficult to find a proper toilet when traveling long distance by road or train in India. Even after planning in advance, we have to depend on luck, that the condition of the public toilet available will at least be usable. I think change will come only if more of us stop seeing it as “someone else’s problem” and take initiative to make them accessible for everyone.
The scarcity and poor condition of public toilets in India stem largely from civic apathy, corruption, and weak maintenance systems rather than a lack of technology or resources. True change requires consistent accountability, public awareness, and genuine implementation of initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.
Despite national missions like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aiming to improve cleanliness and sanitation, inconsistent implementation and public negligence hinder progress. Public toilets often remain unusable due to poor maintenance and foul odors, worsening the situation.
To truly transform sanitation, stronger governance, transparent municipal operations, and active community participation are essential, alongside sustained awareness and stricter enforcement of sanitation norms.
You’ve empathised on such a real issue, clean public toilets are still a rarity, especially for women. It’s not about resources but responsibility and awareness. Maybe it’s time we treat sanitation as a right and not as a fleeting afterthought.
It is a major issue that needs serious consideration. Problems related to public toilets have been faced for decades, especially by women.
Many of us have personally experienced such difficulties. In my opinion, the situation has improved significantly over the past decade. However, lasting solutions must come from both proper maintenance and responsible use. Creating awareness and educating people about cleanliness and the spread of diseases can make a real difference.
Public toilets should be regularly maintained and kept clean. Poverty and illiteracy remain major challenges contributing to the persistence of these issues.
You’re so right, this is something we all see but rarely speak up about. It’s sad that something as basic as clean public toilets is still such a challenge, especially for women. The problem isn’t lack of resources but lack of care and accountability. We need both authorities and citizens to start treating sanitation as a shared responsibility, not an afterthought.
This is such a valid and deeply concerning point. Public sanitation in India reflects not just an infrastructural gap but a mindset issue too. We’ve normalised poor hygiene and inadequate facilities, especially for women, as if it’s something to live with. It’s heartbreaking that even in developed urban areas, finding a clean, safe public toilet is still a struggle.
It’s not that we lack technology or funds — it’s often about accountability, civic sense, and consistent maintenance. Until cleanliness and dignity become shared social values, and not just government responsibilities, we’ll keep facing the same issues. It’s time we treat sanitation as a basic human right, not a privilege.