Public toilets to cost Rs two during Kanwad Yatra, urinals to remain free in Haridwar

PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun

The Municipal Corporation of Haridwar (MCH) has decided that during the ongoing Kanwad Yatra, a nominal fee of Rs two will be charged for the use of public toilets, while urinals will remain completely free of cost. The Yatra, which began on Friday, is drawing large numbers of devotees to Haridwar and surrounding areas. 

The Haridwar additional municipal commissioner Deepak Goswami said that to manage the expected footfall and ensure access to basic sanitation services, the MCH is coordinating with service providers, elected representatives and administrative officials. After discussions with all stakeholders, the decision on the minimal toilet usage fee was finalised to maintain cleanliness and manage operational logistics. He stated that this step aims to support efficient upkeep of sanitation facilities across key points in the city.

The municipal corporation is also working to ensure the regular cleaning of all public toilets, along with uninterrupted water supply and lighting. Goswami said that efforts are underway to ensure that sanitation facilities remain accessible, functional and safe for all Kanwad Yatra pilgrims throughout the duration of the event. Since the maximum crowd of Kanwad Mela is usually observed in Haridwar, the MCH has deployed 1,000 additional sanitation workers and installed over 300 toilets across Kanwad Yatra routes to maintain proper sanitation standards, he added.