BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has come under sharp criticism after a citizen-led audit revealed the poor condition of public toilets across Bengaluru, exposing what critics described as a glaring failure in providing one of the most basic civic amenities in the state capital. The findings have triggered fresh questions over the government’s urban governance despite repeated claims of transforming Bengaluru into a world-class city.
The Bengaluru Public Toilet Audit Report 2026, released by the Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC), paints a grim picture of the city’s sanitation infrastructure. The report states that Bengaluru has only one public toilet for every 25,000 to 30,000 people, far below the requirement for a metropolis with a population exceeding 1.4 crore.
ABSOLUTE SHAME!
While CM @DKShivakumar is obsessed with political lobbying for portfolios, and Minister @krishnabgowda is busy chasing cheap PR optics with endless media bytes, Bengaluru’s civic infrastructure has completely collapsed!
The newly released Bengaluru Public Toilet… pic.twitter.com/fC4lrJgDM3
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) July 24, 2026
The audit, carried out during April and May by B.PAC’s B.CLIP Civic Leaders and student volunteers, surveyed 142 public toilets spread across Central, North, South and West Bengaluru. The findings revealed widespread neglect, with 26 per cent of the toilets found to be completely non-functional. Only six facilities were rated as “very clean,” while nearly 58 per cent emitted a persistent foul smell.
Opposition leaders alleged that the report reflects the government’s inability to maintain even basic civic infrastructure despite collecting substantial taxes from Bengaluru residents. They accused the administration of concentrating on publicity while ignoring essential public services that directly affect the daily lives of citizens.
According to the audit, only around 40 per cent of functional toilets had a regular water supply. None of the surveyed facilities had soap dispensers or dustbins, raising serious concerns about hygiene and public health. Lighting was found to be inadequate in nearly half of the toilets, creating safety concerns, particularly for women using the facilities after dark.
The report also highlighted the absence of inclusive infrastructure. Only nine of the 142 public toilets had ramps, making nearly 94 per cent of the facilities inaccessible to persons with disabilities. Women represented only 15 per cent of caretakers, further highlighting the lack of gender-sensitive management in public sanitation facilities.
Critics said these findings expose the disconnect between the government’s claims of improving urban infrastructure and the ground reality. They argued that Bengaluru, often promoted as India’s technology capital and a global investment destination, cannot claim world-class status when thousands of residents struggle to access clean and functional public toilets.
B.PAC Chief Executive Officer Revathi Ashok said public toilets are not a luxury but an essential component of civic infrastructure. She noted that clean and accessible sanitation facilities are critical for protecting public health, ensuring women’s safety and preserving human dignity.
The report estimates that Bengaluru currently has only 800 to 900 public toilets, with just 479 officially listed under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). Considering the city’s rapidly expanding population and floating commuter base, civic activists argue that the existing infrastructure falls drastically short of demand.
The audit also documented the hardships faced by women commuters, street vendors, gig workers and auto-rickshaw drivers who depend on public toilets during long working hours. Many women reportedly avoid drinking water while at work due to the lack of safe and hygienic toilets, leading to recurring health issues such as urinary tract infections.
Adding to the concern, activists highlighted the poor working conditions of toilet caretakers, many of whom allegedly live inside the toilet premises because of delayed salaries and inadequate accommodation. They described the situation as a reflection of the authorities’ neglect towards sanitation workers.
B.PAC has recommended the immediate construction of more than 1,000 additional public toilets at bus terminals, Metro stations, markets, parks, tourist destinations and other high-footfall locations. It has also proposed a 30-day repair drive for non-functional facilities, the creation of a dedicated Public Toilet Management Cell under the GBA, long-term maintenance contracts and stricter monitoring with penalties for poor upkeep.
Although GBA Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao has reportedly expressed willingness to conduct a larger citywide audit and address the shortcomings, opposition parties questioned why such basic deficiencies were allowed to persist for years before independent organisation.
