Bombay High Court Issues Notice to State Over Lack of Toilets on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Mumbai, April 29:The Bombay High Court on Monday issued a notice to the Maharashtra state government over the glaring absence of adequate public toilet facilities along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, following a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by city-based advocate Raju Thakker.

The PIL, which targets the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Ltd (MSRDC), seeks court directions for the construction and maintenance of proper sanitation facilities on the high-traffic expressway. Thakker argued that the absence of such basic amenities on a road that connects two major cities and sees daily high volumes of travelers is a serious issue affecting public health, hygiene, and road-user convenience.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice M.S. Karnik took cognizance of the matter and has directed both departments to file their responses before the next hearing, scheduled for June 13.

Thakker pointed out that although the state government had announced the construction of 400 toilets along state highways in May 2018—promising a facility every 100 kilometers—there are only two operational toilets on the entire Mumbai-Pune Expressway: one at Khalapur Toll Plaza and the other at Talegaon Toll Plaza.

In his petition, Thakker emphasized the necessity of such facilities for commuters who often spend two to four hours on the expressway. Additionally, the PIL highlighted the lack of waste management systems at the existing restrooms, including the absence of sanitary waste incinerators, leading to unhygienic conditions and environmental concerns.

“The MSRDC, by failing to provide adequate sanitation facilities, has neglected its public duty,” the petition states. It further argues that as the agency responsible for managing and maintaining the state’s expressway infrastructure, the MSRDC is obliged to ensure the availability of essential public amenities.

The issue is now set to be examined further in June, with the court expecting detailed responses from the concerned authorities.