Mumbai court orders urgent toilet upgrades for Govandi slum residents
The Bombay High Court has pushed for better sanitation in Mumbai's Govandi slum after ruling in February 2024 that access to toilets is a fundamental right. The court ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to repair and build new toilet facilities within two months. This move aims to address severe shortages in Buddha Nagar.
The court's decision came after it declared sanitation a 'basic human right' under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. It directed the BMC to not only fix existing toilet blocks but also ensure daily maintenance and hygiene oversight. The Assistant Municipal Commissioner was specifically tasked with supervising these improvements.
The ruling also required the BMC to find open spaces within the slum for constructing more toilets. By early 2026, the corporation had built or made operational 150 additional toilet facilities in Govandi. Beyond toilets, the court stressed that slum residents must have access to clean water and basic health protections.
With a population of over 4,000, Buddha Nagar had long struggled with inadequate sanitation. The court's intervention sought to close this gap by setting clear deadlines and responsibilities for the BMC.
The BMC has since added 150 toilet facilities in Govandi, fulfilling part of the court's 2024 directive. Daily maintenance and hygiene checks are now mandatory under the ruling. The case marks a step toward ensuring sanitation rights for slum residents in Mumbai.
