Kolhapur: Co-guardian minister Madhuri Misal, along with all the MLAs from Kolhapur district, expressed strong displeasure during the district planning and development council (DPDC) meeting held on Monday over the lack of toilets for women in and around the Mahalaxmi temple.
Immediate Action Ordered
Following the concerns raised, district guardian minister Prakash Abitkar directed the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) to set up temporary, clean, and functional toilets for devotees visiting the temple. The issue has been a persistent grievance among visitors, especially during weekends when hundreds of thousands of devotees come for darshan. Many women have faced significant inconvenience due to inadequate sanitation facilities.
Budget Allocation for 2026-27
Abitkar also announced that Kolhapur's administration has fully utilized the Rs765 crore allocated for expenditure during 2025-26. For the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27, an outlay of Rs826 crore has been approved. The funds will be directed toward various developmental projects.
“Around Rs693 crore will be spent on primary schools, anganwadi centers, renovation of government offices, strengthening the healthcare system, providing requirements for police, building barrages, roads, flood control measures, and sports infrastructure,” Abitkar stated.
New initiatives include surveying residential areas of the city, launching solid waste management programs, and organizing tours for students of Zilla Parishad schools to ISRO. These steps aim to enhance urban planning, environmental sustainability, and educational exposure for rural students.
Focus on Women’s Needs
The demand for women’s toilets at the temple highlights the broader need for gender-sensitive infrastructure in public spaces. The minister’s swift response underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing such concerns promptly.
