Despite a substantial budget allocation of Rs 12,371 crore for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has failed to provide Suvidha cabins —designated washrooms for pourakarmikas (sanitation workers) in many wards. The lack of these basic facilities has left these essential workers enduring indignity and health risks, highlighting the city’s negligence of its sanitation workforce.

Roopa K, a pourakarmika from Ward 117, Shanthi Nagar, where 30 female pourakarmikas are employed, shared how the absence of cabins affects their daily routine. “We don’t have washrooms and must either control ourselves or use unhygienic facilities in hotels or petrol pumps. We have complained to the officials, but nothing has been done,” she said.

Even when cabins are provided, workers report them to be unusable. Chandrakala, from Ward 146, Lakkasandra, which employs 50 females, explained that the cabin in her area suffers from a water shortage and lacks a functional washroom. “We walk over a kilometre to find a toilet. Sometimes, we avoid drinking water to reduce restroom visits. This affects our health, but we have no choice.”

Ramesh R, a supervisor from Ward 146, said, “Men can find alternatives, but for women, it is much harder. We have raised complaints.” He also mentioned that while BBMP had promised to install 225 cabins within six months in 2020, only about 181 Suvidha cabins were installed by 2025.

In 2020, the BBMP sanctioned Rs 18.31 crore to build Suvidha Cabins for pourakarmikas, with each cabin costing Rs 8 lakh. The project was supposed to be completed in six months. Murali, an Assistant Engineer at the Solid Waste Management (SWM) department, BBMP, confirmed that 181 cabins were built within the allocated budget but added that the cabins were impractical for pourakarmikas. Each cabin could only accommodate 4-5 workers at a time, while each ward had around 100 pourakarmikas. Many cabins were far from their work areas, forcing workers to travel long distances to access them.

In response to these issues, the BBMP has shifted focus to building 50 permanent toilets, with a total budget of 16 crore Rs. These toilets, costing Rs 20–25 lakh each, are being constructed in areas like Byatarayanapura, Mahalakshmi Layout, KR Puram, and Skyline Apartments near Chandra Layout. The completion date for these structures remains unspecified.

Appu Raj, Assistant Executive Engineer for East Zone, shared that the BBMP Commissioner had ordered the construction of permanent toilets in public spaces rather than temporary cabins. “Cabins are typically built on footpaths and are not a long-term solution. Construction of permanent toilets near waste collection points and government parks will be identified to ensure pourakarmikas have easier access,” he explained. However, there is no fixed deadline for their completion. In September 2024, MLA N A Haris visited Nandan Football Ground in Victoria Layout and assured the construction of public toilets for female workers, Raj added.

Despite these assurances, workers remain sceptical, as similar promises in the past have not changed much on the ground. Ward 117 (Shanthi Nagar), Ward 111 (Shanthala Nagar), and Ward 146 (Lakkasandra), all in Central Bengaluru, collectively employ over 120 female pourakarmikas, yet essential sanitation facilities remain inadequate.

Written by:  Hemanth Kumar, School of Communication and Media Studies, St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru