PCMC Plan Misses Women, Disabled Needs: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) Revised Draft Development Plan (DP) 2025 has come under scrutiny for not allocating specific provisions for public toilets, particularly for women and persons with disabilities. Former standing committee chairperson Seema Sawale highlighted this omission, emphasizing its potential impact on public health and inclusivity. (PPCMC Plan Misses Women, Disabled Needs)
Sawale pointed out that the draft plan fails to designate any plots for public sanitation facilities, despite the city’s projected population growth from 27 lakh in 2021 to an estimated 61 lakh by 2041. She stressed that the lack of accessible toilets disproportionately affects women, adolescent girls, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, compromising their dignity and health.
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The absence of adequate sanitation infrastructure can lead to increased instances of open defecation and urination, contributing to the spread of diseases such as cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, and typhoid. Given PCMC’s proximity to rivers like Pavana, Indrayani, and Mula, the risk of water contamination from unmanaged waste is heightened, posing environmental and public health challenges.
Furthermore, Sawale noted that the draft DP overlooks national and international sanitation guidelines, including the Swachh Bharat Mission’s recommendation of one public toilet seat per 200-250 users and the Indian Roads Congress’s guideline of public toilets every 500–1,000 meters along arterial roads. She advocated for a comprehensive citywide toilet master plan to ensure sustainable sanitation infrastructure.
PCMC has invited public suggestions and objections regarding the draft plan. Sawale urged citizens to voice their concerns and emphasize the importance of reserving spaces for public toilets and urinals to promote a more inclusive and hygienic urban environment.
