SRINAGAR: In response to a recent query in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Rural Development provided crucial details on the government’s efforts to improve basic amenities along national and state highways, including public toilets for all commuters. The question, raised by Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy and Shri Eatala Rajender, focused on the accessibility and maintenance of these amenities, especially public toilets near toll plazas across the country.
In a statement laid before the house, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Minister of Rural Development, clarified that the construction of public toilets, a part of the Swachh Bharat Mission, began in 2015 under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). These facilities, which cater to men, women, persons with disabilities, and transgender people, are being constructed along toll plazas nationwide, including regions such as Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
A key feature in this initiative is the RajmargYatra application, which allows users to report issues related to the conditions of public conveniences, ensuring real-time updates on cleanliness. In addition, the NHAI has incorporated artificial intelligence tools to monitor and ensure the regular maintenance of over 1,300 public toilets along national highways. Penalties have been imposed on toll agencies for maintenance defaults, amounting to approximately Rs 46 lakh to date.
For Jammu and Kashmir, 20 Wayside Amenities (WSAs) have been proposed along the National Highways, which will include clean and accessible public toilets. These WSAs are part of a larger national effort to ensure that such facilities are available every 40 to 60 kilometres along major highways. To ensure sustainability, the state is receiving continued support through financial allocations under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) and the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G).
The Minister also highlighted the financial support provided to states and union territories to construct toilets under the SBM-U scheme. As of December 2024, Jammu and Kashmir has received approximately Rs 106.32 crore under this mission, with Rs 75.87 crore of this fund already utilised.
The initiative also comes under the purview of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), which supplements state efforts in the construction of community toilets. In addition, the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has issued guidelines for the construction of Community Sanitary Complexes in public places, including highways, with a focus on maintaining gender-neutral facilities.
The move is a significant step forward in ensuring that clean and accessible toilets are available to all, providing a much-needed service for those travelling on national highways. With Jammu and Kashmir’s new infrastructure developments, the state’s residents and travellers alike can expect a more comfortable and dignified experience on the road.
