From today, women and children can avail free toilet facility at hotels in south Delhi

New Delhi: Starting on Friday (March 24, 2017), women and children can access free toilet facilities at hotels and restaurants in south Delhi.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation, however, added that the initiative is on a "trial basis". Once the efficacy of this initiative is tested, a review would be held on May 1.

The area's civic body and some hotel and restaurant-owner bodies agreed in-principle for it on Wednesday.

Earlier, the SDMC had passed an order which directed all the restaurants (with restroom facilities) in its jurisdiction to be opened to the general public from April 01 on a nominal payment basis.

The order had come following deliberations between corporation and Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal, where both decided to go ahead with the move, prominently to cater to women who generally find it difficult to relieve themselves when in need, owing to the crunch of public toilets.

The step would also boost the municipal body's 'Swachh Bharat' campaign in its area.

According to the previous proposal, even men were to be included, and users of such toilets were to shell out up to Rs 5 as per discretion of restaurants and hotels.

The current move will now make available for use an additional over 3,500 toilets accessible to public, the SDMC said.

During Wednesday's meet, civic officials told restaurant/hotel owners that the implementation of the decision is not going to "infringe on their business interests".

SDMC also said the civic body is planning to increase the number of public sanitation facilities, especially in markets.

"The owners have agreed for allow free usage of washrooms at hotels and restaurants for women and children. The owners, however, will have a limited discretion on security concerns," the official said.

The corporation said this will go a long way in improving the ranking of the SDMC in the Swachh Bharat Mission survey.

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

The official said the SDMC is also mulling making mandatory this facility for issue of health trade licences.

(With Agency inputs)