BMRCL withdraws toilet usage fee at 12 metro stations after public backlash

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has withdrawn its decision to impose charges for using toilets at 12 Namma Metro stations following widespread public protests and criticism. The move comes after commuters strongly opposed the Rs 2 fee for urinals and Rs 5 for toilet usage, calling it unjustified, especially in the context of recent fare hikes across the metro network.

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The fee was introduced as part of a contract between BMRCL and Sulabh International, a non-profit organization assigned to manage the toilet facilities located in the unpaid areas—outside the ticketed zones—of the selected metro stations. The decision to impose charges sparked immediate backlash from daily metro users and citizen groups who argued that access to clean public sanitation facilities should remain free, particularly in public transport hubs.

In response to the outcry, BMRCL announced that all toilets at the 12 affected metro stations would now be free for public use, effectively reversing the earlier policy. Additionally, the corporation terminated its agreement with Sulabh International, which subsequently withdrew its staff from the metro stations.

This reversal has been viewed as a significant win for commuters and advocates of accessible public amenities. BMRCL’s decision underscores the importance of public feedback in urban governance and ensures that essential facilities remain accessible to all without additional financial burden.