The filthy truth of Delhi’s public toilets | Behind ‘World City’ claims: Ground Truth EXPOSED

#publictoilets #sanitationcrisis #publictoilet Assertions by the BJP government that it is transforming Delhi into a ‘World City’ and ‘ODF++’ certifications for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) collide sharply with the grim reality of the city’s public toilets. Data from the Praja Foundation (2024) reveals a staggering deficit: only 1 toilet seat for every 9,767 men and 10,343 women. Newslaundry’s investigations into public toilets across localities, including Mayur Vihar, Batla House, Badarpur, Sarita Vihar, Mandi House, and Laxmi Nagar, reveal a state of total collapse. Passing by a public toilet in these parts often means encountering a noxious, unbearable stench. These facilities frequently lack water, functional taps, and even doors. Toilets in the women's sections are often bolted or invaded by men, while persons with disabilities encounter facilities filled with refuse. In Mandi House, for example, Newslaundry found that the neglect was particularly jarring. Here, the women’s section features a sanitary pad vending machine, but matchsticks and cigarette butts block the dispenser slot. For persons with disabilities, we found the facility filled with empty liquor bottles and burnt bidis. This crisis persists despite a Union government survey finding that 55 percent of toilets are non-functional – a finding that directly challenges Delhi’s high cleanliness rankings. Last year, in fact, the Delhi High Court reprimanded municipal bodies for “complete apathy and insensitivity”, a sentiment backed by financial data. In the 2023-24 budget, Rs 1 crore was allocated for market toilets and Rs 1.25 crore for women’s facilities, but both remain unspent. Although the MCD proposed a Rs 17,583 crore budget for 2026-27, pledging modern facilities, the gap between these promises and the filthy reality on the ground remains a significant barrier to public safety and dignity. Watch this extensive ground report on the shocking state of public toilets in the city. Shoot and produced by Saif Ali Ekram 0:00-1:52 The Reality Behind the ‘World City’ Claim 1:53-9:07 Why don’t toilets work near busy metro stations? 9:08-12:04 Condition of toilets near Friends Colony 12:05-15:55 What happens when toilets become non-existent? 15:56-19:39 Why are highway toilets locked? 19:40-21:07 Is the city safe for women to use public toilets? 21:08-26:10 How does neglect persist in central Delhi? 26:11-31:25 Too many people, too few toilets? 31:26-38:59 What do the numbers reveal? 39:00-41:36 Govt's response 41:37-45:37 Who is responsible for the failure? Subscribe to Newslaundry: https://rzp.io/rzp/nlsm Power our election coverage: https://rzp.io/rzp/zTQadhQFFT Download the accessible Newslaundry app: https://www.newslaundry.com/download-app Join us on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va61PEo0QeacOqU9vr2k Follow and engage with us on social media: Facebook: https://facebook.com/newslaundry Twitter: https://twitter.com/newslaundry Instagram: https://instagram.com/newslaundry