An eatery has reportedly been operating from the rear section of a motorable women’s toilet managed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) along the Fashion Street stretch on Mahatma Gandhi Road near Azad Maidan in Fort, reported Mid-Day. These mobile “Mahilasathi Swacchatagruha” units were introduced to offer basic sanitation facilities for women, but the café is believed to have been functional for nearly a year, reported Mid-Day. When questioned about approvals, a shopkeeper directed inquiries to Geeta Mehar, who manages the establishment. Mehar said she works part-time at the shop and is also associated with the office of local corporator Makarand Narwekar, reported Mid-Day.
Clarifying her position, Mehar told Mid-Day, “I look after the shop part-time, and I also work in the office of the local corporator Makarand Narwekar. A few police personnel have questioned me about the legitimacy of my shop, but I told them what I am telling you — I have been approved by Makarand sir to manage this place. Recently, I received a letter from him confirming this.” However, she admitted she does not possess the required licences or permissions, adding that the documents are with the corporator, reported Mid-Day. “When I asked Makarand sir, about these documents, he told me to tell whoever was asking to take a look at them in his office,” she told Mid-Day.
Responding to queries, MLA Rahul Narwekar clarified, “My recommendation was for her to be considered only as an applicant, within the rules and regulations. It does not mean that she should be considered without any valid permissions. I am not aware why it [the shop] is functioning and who is allowing it to function. This is for the BMC to take care of,” told Mid-Day. He further added, “How can anyone have the licences to her stall? Her claim has no merit. If anyone is taking our name and doing something illegal, we appeal to the public not to tolerate this. We do not encourage any activity that is beyond the law,” told Mid-Day.
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The letter dated March 28, 2026, issued on the letterhead of Rahul S Narwekar, reportedly does not directly confirm Mehar’s legal status as an operator of the shop, reported Mid-Day. The letter mentions that she has been managing the ladies' toilet, pink toilet, or canteen and requests the BMC’s A ward officer to assist her with related issues, as reported by Mid-Day. However, it stops short of granting any formal approval or ownership rights.
The BMC had launched the “toilet for her, on wheels” initiative by repurposing decommissioned BEST buses into mobile sanitation units for women, reported Mid-Day. After a successful pilot near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the project was expanded to high-footfall areas such as Fashion Street and Mantralaya, reported Mid-Day. These facilities are equipped with multiple toilets, changing rooms, sanitary pad dispensers, and breastfeeding areas to ensure convenience and hygiene for women users.
Several citizens have raised concerns about the unusual setup and its impact, reported Mid-Day. “There’s zero need for this shop here. Washrooms are scarce, and eateries can be operated at any other place,” College student Tupliya Singh told Mid-Day. Tourist Sylvester Silveira told Mid-Day, “Washroom in the front and stall in the rear… This is a hygiene issue. Women might also feel uneasy with this setting, as there’s noise, and the shop must have male customers sitting close by. This setup is not needed.” Worli resident Urmi Mungale told Mid-Day, “It’s tough to find decent and safe washrooms. This BMC-run one is an exception. It’s clean, and we can easily access it. But then there’s this shop behind it.”