Mysuru’s ‘mirror walls’ to stop public urination go viral online | VIDEO

Mysuru: In an unusual attempt to curb public urination near the KSRTC sub-urban bus stand, the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has installed reflective stainless steel sheets along a busy roadside stretch in the city. The initiative, which uses mirror-like panels to discourage offenders through self-awareness and embarrassment, has quickly drawn attention online and triggered conversations around sanitation, civic responsibility and the lack of public toilet infrastructure in Indian cities.

The polished steel panels have been fixed along an 85-metre stretch of the footpath on Bengaluru-Nilgiri Road opposite the bus stand. Acting like mirrors, the reflective surfaces are intended to deter people from urinating in public by making them visible to passers-by and to themselves.

The area outside the bus stand had long become a problem zone because of frequent public urination, especially along a roadside stormwater drain. Residents and commuters had repeatedly complained about the unbearable stench in the locality, with women and children said to be the most affected.

According to civic officials, many men continued using the roadside despite the availability of public urinals inside the KSRTC bus stand premises.

Authorities had earlier tried warning signs and public notices, but the problem reportedly continued. The location was eventually categorised by the MCC as a major “Yellow Spot”, a term used for areas notorious for open urination and sanitation issues.

How does the mirror system work?

MCC engineer Faizal A M explained that the civic body explored multiple ideas before settling on stainless steel sheets.

“We initially considered mirrors, then mica glass and acrylic sheets, but ultimately chose stainless steel for durability and cost-effectiveness,” he said.

The reflective frames have been permanently welded along the roadside and fitted with lighting connected to nearby street lamps so the area remains visible at night as well. Staff working at nearby public urinals have also been asked to help protect the installation from vandalism or damage.

Officials say the early response has been encouraging, with fewer incidents of public urination being reported since the sheets were installed.

MCC says initiative will improve city image

Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner Shaikh Tanveer Asif said the idea was aimed not only at improving cleanliness but also at strengthening Mysuru’s reputation as a tourist-friendly destination.

The city, which attracts large numbers of visitors every year, has often been praised for its heritage and cleanliness drives. Civic authorities believe such targeted measures could help maintain public hygiene in crowded areas.

Viral video triggers online debate

Videos of the reflective installation soon spread across social media platforms, leading to a wider discussion on civic behaviour and urban sanitation.

Many users applauded the move, calling it a clever and practical way to discourage people from urinating in public places. Others, however, argued that embarrassment alone would not solve the deeper issue.

Several social media users pointed out that Indian cities continue to face a shortage of accessible and hygienic public toilets. Some argued that local bodies should prioritise expanding sanitation facilities and strictly penalising violators.

One user praised the initiative but noted that the larger concern remained the availability of clean public washrooms. Another commented: “People will do everything except solving the core problem. Build them bloody toilets!”

Responding to the criticism, the person who originally shared the viral video said there were “at least 4 toilets in 100 mts radius of this place, but our great citizens prefer to pee on the road.”

The installation also triggered humorous reactions online. Some users joked about “installing a camera, and live telecast” to further discourage offenders.

Others remained sceptical about how long the reflective panels would survive in a public space. One social media user remarked, “People will break these and then pee over them.”

Another user wrote, “First they will spit pan and then they will pee..can't do much with people without civic sense.”