HomeInfrastructurePune First Transgender Toilets Mark Inclusivity Step

Pune First Transgender Toilets Mark Inclusivity Step

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has inaugurated two gender-inclusive public toilets near Pune Railway Station, designed to address the sanitation needs of the city’s transgender community.

The newly opened facilities—located opposite Jehangir Hospital and on the road leading from the railway station—are part of PMC’s broader initiative to build 20 such toilets across Pune. The development follows three years of sustained advocacy by transgender activists and organisations, pushing for basic dignity and equal access to public spaces. Kadambari Sheikh, a prominent community member, said the project marks more than just the opening of a toilet. “It’s about dignity and recognition. Under the leadership of Amrapali Mohite, we’ve been approaching PMC for years. Now, we finally have a space where we feel safe,” she said. Though the Maharashtra government has mandated dedicated toilets for transgender persons in public offices, implementation has remained inconsistent. Priya Patil, transgender rights activist and manager at Mumbai’s Kinnar Maa Trust, welcomed PMC’s effort. “This may seem minor to outsiders, but it’s a crucial step. We’ve often been forced to use male or female restrooms and face harassment. This changes that,” Patil said, adding that it affirms the community’s right to public space without fear or stigma.

Sandeep Kadam, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Solid Waste Management, PMC, confirmed that the civic body is constructing 15 gender-inclusive toilets in the city, nine of which are complete and five still under development. “We also plan to build five VIP toilets at city entry points to improve accessibility and ensure inclusivity for the transgender community,” Kadam said. Kadambari added that the number of such facilities must reflect the transgender population of the city. “This is a start, but we won’t stop until equal access becomes a norm across Pune,” she said. The initiative aligns with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which mandates protection, inclusion, and equality for transgender individuals. It also underscores the relevance of the National Council for Transgender Persons in shaping policy on inclusion.

While the current progress has been met with optimism, activists stress the need for sustained infrastructure and policy commitment to make Pune a truly inclusive city.

Also Read: Maharashtra To Get First Heliport At Hadapsar Pune

Pune First Transgender Toilets Mark Inclusivity Step
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