The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has signed an agreement with 33 private businesses to operate 250 public toilets in the Capital for free.

City’s Mayor Balendra Shah, Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, and Chief Administrative Officer Lok Nath Paudyal and representatives from the business organisations inked the deal amid a function held in Kathmandu on Monday.

Among the businesses that have agreed to let their restrooms be used by the public are banks, restaurants, schools, and publishing houses.

After being elected as new mayor of the City, Shah had asked businesses, corporations and the private sector in the City to volunteer in letting their facilities be used as public toilets. Interested organisations were asked to register with the City within one week. Thirty three businesses came forward.

One of the most prominent among them, the Nabil Bank, on June 8 reached an agreement with the City to allow toilets in 17 of its branches, including the main office, for public use.

The agreement is for five years. Within this period, all the organisations will have to repair their toilets and maintain cleanliness with running water, according to the agreement.

One representative each from the City and respective organisations will be deployed to inspect the operation of the toilets. The representatives will have to submit an inspection report every four months.

“We have not forced anyone,” Mayor Shah said after signing the agreement. “Everyone came forward on their own to volunteer and I appreciate that. It's time to work together.”