In a bid to elevate sanitation standards and foster awareness, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has launched the 'Swachh Toilet Mission 2024' under the 'Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 Urban'. This comprehensive campaign, aimed at ensuring clean, accessible, and eco-friendly toilets across the city, is gaining momentum under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde.

The initiative seeks to improve both public and community toilets throughout Navi Mumbai. It focuses on not only enhancing the cleanliness and functionality of these facilities but also educating citizens about the healthy use of toilets, particularly in both public and household settings.

The campaign was launched in a review meeting, where Dr. Kailas Shinde outlined the collective responsibility of all departments to make the campaign a success. He urged the heads of various departments to collaborate with the Solid Waste Management Department and actively participate. Each of the eight division heads has been tasked with inspecting the cleanliness and condition of the toilets in their areas, ensuring any necessary repairs or improvements are made promptly.

In addition to these departmental inspections, special attention has been given to toilets in municipal schools, with a directive for long-term, ongoing maintenance and not just a temporary campaign effort. The goal is to make the clean toilet initiative permanent, ensuring that the improvements made are sustainable in the long run.

The campaign lays out clear standards for toilets, which must be functional, accessible, clean, eco-friendly, and safe. Emphasising the importance of these standards, the initiative has already led to a significant focus on the accessibility and durability of public restrooms. Engineers from the municipal corporation have been conducting thorough inspections of all public and community toilets, making necessary repairs, and ensuring that each facility is in optimal condition.

Posters have been displayed in toilets, urging users to flush with adequate water after use, and a system for gathering feedback and complaints via mobile apps, QR codes, and a helpline has been activated. This ensures that the public can voice concerns and any issues are promptly addressed by a responsive complaint redressal mechanism. The complaint system is under constant evaluation to maintain high standards of service.

In line with this initiative, the Municipal Corporation is working with voluntary organisations, self-help groups, and toilet contractors to ensure that all public toilets remain in a good and usable condition. Public awareness has also been heightened through social media and mass media campaigns, encouraging people to adopt better toilet usage habits.

To further recognise the vital role played by sanitation workers, the municipal corporation has been honouring those who have gone above and beyond in their efforts. The campaign has included public felicitations, acknowledging their hard work and dedication to keeping the city clean.

In an innovative move, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has introduced a mascot to spread the message of waste segregation, promoting wet, dry, and household hazardous waste classification. This mascot, which is becoming particularly popular among children, is also carrying the message 'Use Toilet' to various public places, encouraging citizens to adopt better sanitation practices. The response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive.

Additionally, the campaign will feature a workshop soon, and on 22nd December, the 'Swachh Navi Mumbai Marathon' at Palm Beach will provide another platform to spread awareness about the importance of proper toilet use across the city.