Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Union Government has been promoting Swachh Bharat Mission in a big way and providing subsidy to poor rural households for construction of toilets.
However, right under the nose of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, which is ruled by the BJP for the past several years, a matter of unauthorised demolition of a public toilet in Delhi Darwaja area in Ahmedabad surfaced on Monday. This is the second such incident reported in the “Heritage City” in the recent past.
According to reports, the toilet was demolished by locals without the permission of the AMC. A complaint was registered at Madhupura police station against unidentified people.
The matter reportedly occurred two months ago but came to attention only recently.
Ramya Bhatt, deputy municipal commissioner of the central zone, was quoted saying that the authorities came to know in April that the toilet had been demolished by locals. Following this, instructions were given to file a police complaint. “We have also directed that a new public toilet be constructed at the same location,” Bhatt was quoted.
After it was removed, the adjacent shop was illegally extended into that space. A small cabin with paver blocks was constructed at the site, creating a shop for snacks. There is a buzz about the shop belonging to the relative of a BJP leader and that the illegal extension was made to benefit them.
Shahpur ward corporator Akbar Bhatti was quoted in the media saying that the toilet was functioning well and was regularly cleaned, as confirmed by old photos and videos. The narrative that it was unhygienic is false, he said, alleging that the toilet was removed to benefit the ruling party. He demanded the facility be rebuilt at the same location.
Earlier, a toilet was demolished by locals in Naranpura. A penalty of Rs 50,000 was imposed, and AMC issued instructions to the shop owners to construct a new toilet there.
Sources said that the shop owner is reportedly a BJP worker and no complaint has been so far lodged in Naranpura case.
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