Section controllers to be held responsible for dirty toilets at ST bus stands: Sarnaik

Mumbai: If there is negligence in cleaning toilets at ST bus stands, responsibility will be fixed on the concerned section controller. Transport Minister and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation chairman Pratap Sarnaik gave the directive. He said clearly that no compromise on cleanliness would be tolerated.

Sarnaik was speaking at a cleanliness review meeting held at the ST corporation's headquarters. Department heads, regional managers and section controllers of the corporation were present. According to the minister, providing passengers with clean, healthy and hygienic facilities is the corporation's basic responsibility.

Sarnaik reminded the meeting that the ST corporation collects a Rs 2 cleanliness surcharge from passengers. In return, passengers should get at least basic cleanliness facilities. Keeping bus stand toilets clean and looking after passengers' health is therefore the administration's responsibility. He said there should be no laxity of any kind in cleaning toilets. He also directed the officers concerned to work with greater vigilance to meet passengers' legitimate expectations.

The minister asked for regular inspection of toilets at bus stands. He also directed that cleaning work be monitored continuously and that the contractor agencies concerned be made to clean according to the terms of their agreements. He said it would not do to leave the responsibility for cleanliness to contractors alone. The officers concerned must themselves confirm whether bus stands in their areas are being cleaned regularly. He said that if there is a lapse in providing passengers with clean facilities, responsibility will be fixed on the section controller concerned.

Sarnaik also said that the ST is an important mainstay of the common people's daily travel. The corporation should therefore give priority to clean bus stands and hygienic facilities along with safe and comfortable travel. He appealed to the administration to work with greater sensitivity and responsibility to give passengers good facilities.