Nashik Municipal Corporation has asked malls, multiplexes, hotels, restaurants, petrol pumps and other commercial establishments to allow women to use their toilet facilities free of charge, in an initiative aimed at improving access to safe and clean sanitation across the city.
Municipal commissioner Manisha Khatri has urged establishments to voluntarily support the appeal and not charge women any fee for using their toilets. The Nashik civic administration said the initiative is intended to assist women and girls travelling through the city for work, education, shopping and other activities.
Under the request, participating establishments have been asked to maintain hygiene, ensure adequate water supply and provide proper lighting inside the facilities. They have also been asked to sensitise their staff and display signboards informing women that toilet access is available free of cost.
The appeal addresses a practical gap in the city’s public environment. Women travelling through busy commercial areas can face difficulty locating accessible toilets, particularly when they are away from home for extended periods. By opening existing facilities in commercial establishments, the civic administration is seeking to supplement Nashik’s public toilet network without relying only on new construction.
An NMC official said access to sanitation facilities was an important part of creating a safe and inclusive urban environment. The official added that the initiative would supplement the existing public toilet network and improve convenience for women travelling long distances.
NMC currently operates 466 public and community toilets with more than 6,000 seats across Nashik, according to the information released by the civic administration. The network includes about 183 public toilets located at key public places and 283 community toilets in slum areas and residential localities.
The two categories serve different users. Community toilets are primarily used by residents in local neighbourhoods, while public toilets are intended for commuters and visitors. The public facilities are managed by private agencies appointed by the municipal corporation.
The new appeal places commercial establishments alongside this existing network as additional points of access. Its implementation will depend on establishments allowing women to use the facilities without charge, maintaining basic services and ensuring that staff follow the requested access policy. The NMC has asked businesses to extend full cooperation and make the availability of the toilets visible through signage.
