RTI reveals 'Pay & Use' toilets at Begumpet station are 'free'

Hyderabad: The toilets at the Begumpet railway station were found collecting money from people—Rs. 5 for using urinals and Rs. 10 for latrines.

After Mohammed Haji, an RTI activist from Vikarabad, filed an RTI seeking information regarding the prices of the 'Pay and Use Toilets' in the station premises, the South Central Railway took action and ensured that money was no longer collected at the station toilets.

Haji, who used the toilet, found it strange that money was being collected. "The money was being collected without any charge sheet or document which is usually mandatory to show to citizens under railway policies," he said. Haji then filed an RTI to know the exact prices for the 'Pay and Use Toilets'.

Haji's RTI reply from South Central Railway and the ministry of Railways revealed that there is no 'Pay & Use Toilets' contract at Begumpet Railway Station. "The maintenance of toilets is covered under cleaning contract, as such no user charges are collected for utilisation of toilets," the RTI reply revealed.

In his RTI, Haji sought information regarding the total amount collected and how many people use the toilets.

"The washrooms here have been collecting money for as long as I know. Despite that they weren't cleaned regularly," said D. Raghu, a passenger who regularly takes local trains. He said a man used to sit outside the toilet and collect money. "On Monday morning, he wasn't there," he said.

The toilets are only located on platform number 1. Raghu said this often made it difficult for passengers using platform number 2.

Haji further demanded that a "free" board be displayed outside the washrooms. However, no such display board has been put up as of now. A senior SCR official assured Haji that legal action will be taken regarding this issue.