मनसे तर्फे पहिला एबी फॉर्म मिळाला यशवंत किल्लेदार यांना - 1
“…If no immediate action is taken, we will take appropriate action directly during the Maha-Assembly session,” — Atul Shilwant
Ulwe (Navi Mumbai), Feb 10: CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation), which proudly calls itself the “architect of cities,” has developed various nodes of Navi Mumbai in phases over the last 50 years. However, over the past few years, CIDCO’s functioning appears to have become somewhat negligent. A striking example of this governance lapse has emerged in the Ulwe node, one of the areas recently developed by CIDCO.
Ulwe node, comprising nearly 26 sectors and a population of around 1.75 to 2 lakh, is facing a severe shortage of public toilets and urinals. Since 2022, senior journalist and social activist Atul Shilwant has been consistently following up with the CIDCO administration on this issue. Despite repeated representations, CIDCO has only offered assurances, with no concrete action taken so far.
The lack of public toilets in a so-called smart city like Ulwe, which houses nearly two lakh residents, is deeply concerning. While men may, out of compulsion, find a corner to Pee and relieve themselves, the situation for women is far more distressing. Where are they expected to go if they want to pee? Women stepping out of their homes for work, school, or college are left with no option but to somehow wait and reach their destination if faced with an emergency. Over time, this can lead to serious health complications. Elderly citizens, particularly those suffering from diabetes or kidney-related ailments, are facing extreme hardship due to this neglect.
In correspondence addressed to CIDCO’s Managing Director, Shilwant stated:
“Through this letter, my colleagues and I humbly request you to issue immediate directives to the concerned CIDCO department to construct at least one public toilet in every sector of the Ulwe node, and thereby relieve citizens—especially women and patients—from the inhuman suffering they are currently enduring.”
Speaking to Maharashtra Varta regarding this issue, Shilwant said it is deeply troubling that an organization as capable as CIDCO could ignore such a critical civic necessity. He further informed that the Maharashtra State Budget Session is scheduled to commence on February 23, 2026. Prior to this, he and fellow activists plan to meet CIDCO’s Managing Director and the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department to demand the construction of public toilets and urinals across Ulwe on a war footing. He warned that if no immediate action is taken, they will be compelled to initiate appropriate action during the budget session.
Against this backdrop, a fundamental question arises: while developing the Ulwe node—with over 26 sectors and, as of today, two suburban railway stations—how did CIDCO overlook the need to build public toilets for city residents? As the city expanded in size and population, CIDCO planned wide roads and drainage systems. How, then, did urban planners fail to factor in the basic necessity of public toilets and urinals? This remains a baffling and serious concern.
Social activist Atul Shilwant has appealed to the residents of Ulwe to join this campaign. Those wishing to participate can contact him via WhatsApp at +91 93247 75536.
