Public toilets in Guwahati are meant to serve residents and visitors alike, but many complain that they are either closed during crucial hours or entirely non-functional
Despite ongoing efforts to improve sanitation facilities in the city, residents continue to struggle with the lack of accessible public toilets, especially during nighttime. Many public toilets remain locked, non-functional, or completely missing in key locations, leaving citizens frustrated and inconvenienced.
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The issue gained fresh attention after a three-day cleanliness drive organised by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) in January, which aimed to ensure a cleaner and greener Guwahati. However, despite these efforts, the problem of inaccessible and defunct public toilets persists.
On January 30, as part of the initiative, the GMC launched a public toilet and market cleanliness drive. During a press meet, GMC Mayor Mrigen Sarania had stated:
"In honor of the Chief Minister’s birthday, we have planned a series of community initiatives, including a three-day cleanliness drive to ensure a cleaner and greener Guwahati. The festivities will also focus on fostering community unity."
While the initiative sounded promising, citizens say the situation on the ground remains the same, with public toilets either locked or unavailable when needed the most.
Public toilets in Guwahati are meant to serve residents and visitors alike, but many complain that they are either closed during crucial hours or entirely non-functional.
A vendor from Fancy Bazaar, one of the busiest commercial hubs in the city, shared his frustration while speaking to GPlus.
"Recently, new toilets were built in Phool Gali, but when I tried to use one in the afternoon, it was locked. What is the point of building these toilets if they are not open during the day? We vendors spend long hours here, and having a functional toilet is a basic necessity. But even when they construct new ones, they are not maintained properly."
Similarly, Ranjan Kalita, an employee at a private company who spends most of his work hours in the field, recounted his experience:
"Since my work involves a lot of travel, I often need to use public toilets. One day, while working around Ulubari, I went to use the public toilet under the flyover, but it was locked. When I asked someone nearby, they told me the caretaker was on leave for the past few days. Does that mean the facility shuts down just because one person isn’t available? These toilets should be accessible at all times, but instead, they are unreliable."
For people working in the night shift, the situation is even worse.
A night shift worker from AK Azad Road talking to GPlus said, "There is no public toilet anywhere on AK Azad Road. One night, I needed to use the restroom while heading home, so I went back to Ulubari, only to find the toilet locked at 9:30 PM. If the government builds public toilets, they should remain open 24/7. Otherwise, what’s the point?"
While the lack of public toilets affects everyone, women, in particular, face greater difficulties, especially when they work late hours.
A female private employee who frequently works night shifts on GS Road said,"As a woman, it is extremely difficult when there are no accessible public toilets. One night, I needed to use a restroom near Bhangagarh, but it was closed. To make things worse, there were some shady people lingering around outside, watching me. I felt unsafe standing there. The authorities need to understand that public toilets are not just about convenience but also about safety, especially for women."
Her issue reflects a broader problem: the absence of secure and accessible public toilets disproportionately impacts women, forcing them into uncomfortable or even dangerous situations.
When questioned about the issue, a GMC official admitted that some toilets remain non-functional but claimed they were being managed by various agencies and NGOs.
"Public toilets in the city are operated under different agencies. We have handed over their maintenance to NGOs and private organizations. Currently, there are 103 public toilets in Guwahati, out of which 96 are functional. The rest are either under maintenance or have been vandalized."
However, residents argue that ‘functional’ does not always mean ‘accessible.’ Many of these so-called operational toilets remain locked or are unusable due to poor upkeep.
According to GMC officials, frequent theft and damage to sanitary facilities are significant reasons why many public toilets remain non-functional.
"Even after repeated repairs and regular maintenance, many toilets fall into disrepair due to theft and vandalism. People steal taps, flush tanks, and other sanitary equipment, making it difficult to keep the toilets operational. This has been an ongoing problem," said the GMC official.
However, when asked about long-term solutions, the response was vague.
"The ones that have been damaged are currently undergoing renovation. We are working to restore them as soon as possible," the official added.
Despite these claims, citizens continue to struggle with locked toilets and inadequate facilities.
The GMC official, when asked about the lack of 24/7 access said,"Caretakers work in a single shift, and these agencies can only function if they generate revenue. Without enough funds, how can they afford to hire multiple caretakers for each public toilet? This is a financial challenge we face."
A citizen in Lachit Nagar talking to GPlus said, "Building toilets is just one part of the solution. The real challenge is ensuring they remain functional, clean, and accessible. If public toilets are locked half the time, then they are as good as non-existent. The government should set up proper monitoring systems to ensure these facilities remain open and usable at all hours."
He further added, "Other cities have successfully implemented 24/7 public toilet models with proper staff rotation and maintenance schedules. Why can’t Guwahati do the same? Instead of handing them over to NGOs without accountability, the municipal corporation should take direct responsibility."
Public toilets are a basic necessity, yet in Guwahati, they remain a challenge. With locked doors, maintenance issues, and lack of 24/7 accessibility, residents—especially women, night shift workers, and field employees—are left struggling.
Despite repeated assurances from the authorities, the reality remains unchanged. The question now is—will Guwahati finally take this issue seriously, or will its citizens continue to suffer due to poor sanitation planning?
