Green (bio) toilets built at a cost of crores of rupees under the Smart City Mission in Bihar's Muzaffarpur have turned into symbols of neglect, with nearly 25 facilities lying abandoned, locked, or reduced to junk even before becoming fully operational.
A ground report by India Today exposed the poor condition of these public amenities, prompting the local administration to order an investigation and direct immediate repairs.
The bio-toilets, envisioned as a modern sanitation solution for the city, now present a stark contrast to the objectives of the Smart City Mission.
Many of the structures remain shut with rusted locks, while others are surrounded by garbage, overgrown vegetation and foul-smelling waste, making them unusable for the public.
An on-ground inspection at several prominent locations revealed that the multi-crore project has largely failed to deliver its intended benefits.
At Company Bagh Road, the bio-toilet was found completely locked. Residents said the facility has never been made operational, forcing people, particularly women, to struggle whenever they require a public toilet.
Alka, who had travelled to the city from a rural area, said women bear the brunt of the non-functional facilities.
She said the toilet was constructed but never opened for public use, creating hardship whenever there is a need to use the facility.
A similar picture emerged outside the Tirhut Divisional Commissioner's office near the Head Post Office, where the bio-toilet has been overtaken by bushes.
A rusted lock on its entrance indicates that the facility has remained unused for a long time.
The condition of another bio-toilet near Sadar Hospital and the Cooperative Bank was even worse. Garbage was strewn around the premises and a strong stench emanating from the area made it difficult to stand nearby. Instead of serving the public, the facility has become a source of inconvenience.
Even the bio-toilet located inside the Collectorate complex, the district headquarters, has been reduced to a showpiece. Waste has accumulated around the structure and the absence of maintenance has rendered it unusable.
The failure of these facilities has affected thousands of people who visit Muzaffarpur every day for medical treatment, court-related work, banking, shopping and other purposes.
Women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and families travelling with children are among those facing the greatest inconvenience due to the lack of functional public toilets.
AUTHORITIES SWING INTO ACTION
The findings of the India Today ground report triggered an official response from the administration.
Taking cognisance of the report, Tirhut Divisional Commissioner Girvar Dayal Singh directed the Muzaffarpur Municipal Commissioner to investigate the matter and ensure that all non-functional bio-toilets are repaired and made operational.
The Commissioner described the bio-toilet initiative as an ambitious government project and instructed officials to launch a three-month repair drive covering all defective facilities.
He also ordered a city-wide survey to identify areas requiring additional public toilets, particularly in congested localities, markets and commercial hubs.
The directions include constructing separate toilet facilities for men and women, expanding the number of women-exclusive Pink Toilets, and ensuring uninterrupted water supply at every public toilet.
The Commissioner also stressed that proper maintenance should be mandatory so that the facilities remain functional and uphold public hygiene and human dignity.
The revelations have raised serious questions over the implementation and maintenance of public infrastructure created under the Smart City Mission.
With nearly 25 bio-toilets lying defunct before they could effectively serve citizens, concerns have mounted over the utilisation of public funds and accountability for the project's failure.
The administration has now promised corrective action following the India Today investigation. Whether the abandoned green toilets are restored for public use or remain another example of infrastructure left to decay will become clear in the months ahead as the ordered probe and repair exercise progresses.
- Ends
Mani Bhushan Sharma input
Published On:
Jul 21, 2026 22:36 IST