CMRL Delays Washroom Renovations as Underground Metro Toilets Face Severe Neglect

Ten months after Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) announced a renovation plan for washrooms across key locations, only one toilet has been refurbished, leaving underground stations in Anna Nagar and across the metro network suffering from severe neglect and poor sanitation.

In September last year, CMRL announced that washrooms at five high-footfall stations—Chennai Central, High Court, Airport, Meenambakkam, and Thirumangalam—would be renovated. However, an inspection revealed that only the B5 entrance washroom at Chennai Central has been refurbished so far. Renovation work remains under way at Airport and Thirumangalam stations, while work has yet to begin at High Court and Meenambakkam.

Underground stations have been left in particularly squalid conditions compared to elevated stations. While elevated stations on the Blue and Green lines feature clean washrooms located beyond ticket gates for passenger use, underground lavatories are situated outside ticketed areas. This layout makes them accessible to the general public, leading to heavy usage and rapid deterioration.

Anna Nagar East Metro station manager Balasubramaniam identified Anna Nagar East, Anna Nagar Tower, Nehru Park, Kilpauk, and Thiyagaraya College as underground stations where toilets require constant cleaning. He stated that despite repeated cleaning by housekeeping staff, high passenger volume causes the facilities to become dirty quickly.

Most underground stations feature only one toilet each for men and women, maintained by two or three housekeeping staff members, almost all of whom are women. At LIC underground station, regular commuters reported squalid facilities with broken flushing mechanisms and damaged fixtures. At High Court Metro station, the women’s washroom has been closed for several weeks for pipe repairs, forcing female staff to travel to other stations or go above ground to use a toilet.

Housekeeping staff also report challenging working conditions and pay disparities across contractors. On the Blue Line, maintained by contractor KCIC, female cleaners receive 480 rupees a day while male cleaners are paid 570 rupees. On the Green Line, outsourced to A1 FGM, female staff earn 500 rupees daily compared to 530 rupees for male staff.

CMRL’s public relations office did not respond to requests for comment regarding the delayed renovation plan and maintenance standards.