In Bhopal's Aishbagh area, where the half-finished '90-degree flyover' already stands as a symbol of stalled development, another civic project has run into controversy. A newly built public restroom, intended to serve traders and residents, has been rendered useless after the Railways enclosed it within a boundary wall.
Background of the Project
According to locals, the site had long been used as a waste dumping ground. Responding to complaints, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) took the initiative to construct a toilet block near the busy railway overbridge. Within days, the structure was nearing completion. However, in the last fortnight, the Railways moved to secure their land by building a wall that now cuts off all access to the facility.
Residents' Warnings Ignored
Residents say they had warned officials from the start that the land belonged to the Railways and suggested an alternative site near the old water tank, which is owned by the BMC. Their objections were ignored, and construction went ahead. Now, the restroom stands inaccessible — a locked box inside railway premises.
“This is a glaring example of negligence,” said one trader. “Public money has been spent, but who will use this facility when there is no way to enter it?”
Questions Raised
The episode raises sharp questions. If the land was railway property, why did the BMC permit construction? And why have the corporator and officials remained silent as the project collapsed into absurdity?
Officials Unreachable
Attempts to reach Ward 40 corporator Masarat went unanswered. Officials from BMC, including executive engineer AK Sahani, also did not respond. When contacted, BMC executive superintending engineer RR Jaroliya said he is out of town and would investigate the matter.
A Pattern of Incomplete Planning
For Aishbagh, the restroom joins the flyover as yet another monument to incomplete planning. What was meant to solve a civic problem has instead become a fresh reminder of how projects can be launched without foresight — leaving residents with structures they cannot use and funds wasted on facilities that serve no one.
