Delhi High Court Issues Notice On PIL Claiming Lack Of Sanitary Vending Machines In Toilets At Metro Stations

The Delhi High Court has issued notice on a PIL related to certain rights of women commuters in Delhi Metro including lack of access to sanitary vending machines at the toilets located in the metro stations. 

A division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela while issuing notice to the respondents said:

"...the Concern raised in PIL is that toilets in Delhi metro stations do not have sanitary vending machines as a result of which commuters face a problem. Let response be filed in 2 weeks. We specifically direct that DMRC shall give details of number of such vending machines and disposal units installed at the Delhi metro stations and out of these machines how many of them are functioning".

During the hearing the counsel appearing for DMRC submitted that the body is only dealing with transportation system, planning, building and running the train and sought time to file a response.

The court however orally asked, "Who maintains toilet at metro stations? After constructing station which contains toilet, who runs the toilets within metro station? Who maintains it?"

The counsel responded that it is the duty of DMRC.

"Then why are you saying that you only concerned with running the train? Is it not your obligation to maintain the toilet?"

The court further said that as per petitioner, out of 286 metro stations 40 stations have the vending machines out of which according to him 6-7 are working. 

At this stage the counsel sought time to seek proper instructions.

The matter is listed on September 24.

Case title: NIKHIL GOYAL V/s DELHI METRO RAIL CORPORATION,THROUGH ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR & ORS.

W.P.(C)-12238/2025