Restaurants, hotels in South Delhi agree to give free toilet access to women, children

Keeping in view the need to provide safety to women in Delhi's markets, hotel and restaurant owners on Wednesday – after a discussion with South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) – have decided to allow women and children to access their toilets for free from March 24.

The matter will, however, be reviewed on May 1 to understand the concerns and practical difficulties faced by the establishments during this period and also to explore the possibilities for further increasing the scope of this initiative.

In a meeting with representatives of the National Restaurants Association of India, Hotels and Restaurants Association of Northern India, and Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India, a senior official of SDMC conveyed to them that the decision has been taken to share the responsibilities as women's safety is of paramount concern to all stake holders.

The Corporation officials also apprised them of the action being taken to increase the number of public toilets, especially in markets, in order to provide facilities to citizens including women and

children as they expect protection as well as cooperation from the administration and the owners of the establishments possessing health trade license.

SDMC officers also made them understand that the implementation of the decision is not going to infringe their business interests.

"The hotel and restaurant owners, while appreciating the move of the SDMC, agreed to render all constructive cooperation in implementing the decision. They have agreed for allowing free usage of their washrooms for women and children. The owners, however, will have limited discretion on security concerns. This will also help SDMC in improving its ranking in respect of Swachh Bharat Mission," said a senior official.

It may be recalled that Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had earlier advised the civic body to explore the possibility of making toilets in restaurants and hotels available for use to general public.

Acting on the advice of the LG, the Corporation had instructed all hotels and restaurants located in the South Delhi to give full access to the general public, especially women and children, to these toilets.

Earlier, the order imposed on South Delhi restaurants to open their restrooms to the general public had not gone down well with the owners, who had proposed to keep the restrooms open to public for a maximum charge of Rs 5.