Filth and stench plague restrooms at Chennai Metro stations

Chennai Metro commuters looking for a clean restroom are in for a shock. A recent survey of facilities at several underground stations has revealed toilets that are far from usable. The stench hits you before you even enter. Inside, the floors are stained, drains are clogged, and the washbasins are often dry.

Passengers have been raising the issue for weeks. Many say the situation has only gotten worse with the summer heat. "You can't even step inside without holding your breath," said a daily commuter at Egmore station. Another passenger at Saidapet said she now avoids drinking water before her commute to avoid using the restroom.

Maintenance gaps blamed

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials said the cleaning schedule is in place but admitted that manpower shortages and high footfall have made upkeep difficult. "We have a contract with a private agency for cleaning. But during peak hours, the toilets get dirty faster than they can be cleaned," an official said.

CMRL operates 42 underground stations across two lines. Each station has at least two restroom blocks. But commuters say the problem is not just about frequency of cleaning — it is about basic infrastructure. In some stations, the exhaust fans are broken. In others, the water supply is erratic.

Commuters demand accountability

Several passengers have taken to social media to post pictures and tag CMRL. The response from the metro agency has been mixed. Some complaints have been addressed within hours. Others have been ignored for days. "Why should we have to beg for a clean toilet at a modern metro station?" asked a passenger at Teynampet.

CMRL has now said it will review the cleaning contract and increase supervision. It has also promised to repair faulty fans and plumbing across all stations within a week. But many commuters remain sceptical. "We have heard promises before. Nothing changes," said a regular at Thirumangalam station.

What hygiene standards exist?

CMRL follows guidelines set by the Indian Railway Standards for station cleanliness. But enforcement is weak. Unlike airport toilets, which are monitored by cleanliness indices, metro restrooms often fall through the cracks. There is no real-time feedback system for passengers to report issues.

Some metro systems in other Indian cities, like the Delhi Metro, have deployed cleaning robots and real-time monitoring. CMRL has not yet adopted such measures. Officials said they are studying best practices but gave no timeline for any upgrade.

The problem is not just about comfort. Unhygienic toilets can lead to the spread of infections, especially in a crowded underground space with limited ventilation. Doctors warn that fungal infections and stomach illnesses can spike if the issue is not fixed soon.

CMRL has asked passengers to report dirty restrooms through its helpline and app. But many say the app itself is buggy and the helpline often goes unanswered. For now, the restrooms remain a black mark on an otherwise modern transit network.

What comes next? CMRL plans to deploy dedicated cleaning teams during peak hours and install sensor-based flushing systems. But until those changes are visible at every station, commuters will continue to hold their breath.