Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and other authorities to ensure that public toilets and conveniences are clean, hygienic and in proper order.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna also asked the civic authorities to appoint an officer in-charge of each public toilet for monitoring.

We direct the authorities to ensure public urinals/toilets are clean, hygienic and in order. Last opportunity is granted to the respondents (civic authorities) to file replies to the petition,” the bench said.

The high court was hearing a petition by Jan Seva Welfare Society on the unhygienic conditions and the poor maintenance, including lack of clean water and electricity, of public toilets in the national capital.

With the petitioner’s counsel submitting that some toilets have no electricity, the bench said, “You appoint officers having some responsibility. Appoint one officer in-charge of each toilet for its monitoring.”

The court listed the matter for further hearing on January 29.