Nearly two years after their much-publicised launch in September 2023, the 15 ‘She’ mobile toilet buses introduced by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) have disappeared from public view. The ₹4.5 crore initiative, aimed at improving sanitation access for women in high-footfall areas such as Chennai Central, Koyambedu, Guindy, and T Nagar, has reportedly failed in implementation.
Each air-conditioned bus was designed with four toilet cubicles, a shared wash basin, and a sanitary napkin dispenser. The plan involved daily deployment based on demand. However, field visits to designated locations revealed that none of the units were operational or visible.
Commuters, students, and even women police personnel reported never having seen the facilities in use. Some mentioned the buses were briefly seen post-launch but have since vanished.
Sources in the corporation cited unresolved technical issues, particularly battery failures linked to continuous tank operation. These maintenance problems were not adequately addressed. Corporation officials acknowledged the lapse and indicated steps are being taken to monitor operations more effectively, including real-time updates from the mechanical department.
Women’s rights groups have highlighted the lack of accessible sanitation as a serious concern, particularly in a state with high female participation in higher education. They have urged the GCC to restore and maintain the mobile toilet service without delay.
Chennai Mayor @PriyarajanDMK in Sept 2023 launched 15 mobile toilet buses with great fan-fare. Now, these buses have completely gone off-the-radar ‼️
Launched with fanfare nearly two years ago by Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), the 15 ‘She’ mobile toilets have gone missing… pic.twitter.com/xlLG3PsIjD
— Omjasvin M D (@omjasvinMD) June 22, 2025
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
