The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has withheld payments to a private agency after several e-toilets across the city stopped functioning, sparking public criticism.
Despite Bhubaneswar securing the 9th rank in the national Swachh Survekshan 2024–25, the malfunctioning e-toilets have drawn sharp attention.
Commissioner Chanchal Rana directed officials not to release funds to the agency responsible for maintenance after it failed to provide satisfactory reports.
Residents complained that defunct e-toilets forced people to relieve themselves in open areas, tarnishing the city’s image despite its ODF Plus Plus certification.
The situation is particularly alarming near Acharya Vihar bus stop, one of the busiest transit points in Bhubaneswar, where thousands of commuters pass daily.
The sanitation wing confirmed that the commissioner’s strict decision followed repeated complaints and visible lapses in upkeep. Authorities stressed that the city’s cleanliness drive cannot succeed if basic facilities like e-toilets remain non-functional.
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