Given 15 days to repair the leaking toilets on the first floor
The state of traffic cell
Soggy and damp walls and foul smell
Sewage leaking from first floor toilets
Resting area has turned into sewage collection site
No separate changing room for female personnel
Cabinets for storing files have become unusable
Notices to DGP over sewage flow at traffic cell
Given 15 days to repair the leaking toilets on the first floor
the goan network
PANAJI
The Traffic Cell of the capital city offered a sorry sight on Saturday, with the discoloured, soggy walls of the office continuing to foster dampness and the tarpaulin overhead along a wall in the officers’ barracks, directing the sewage water dripping from toilets on first floor towards two buckets near the beds meant for the traffic cops to rest.
It was informed that this has been the state-of-affairs over the last four years and that the situation was not remedied despite Rs 8.5 lakh being cleared last year for the purpose of repairing the row of toilets on the floor above the officers’ barracks at the Traffic Cell.
The foul smell of sewage water renders the barracks inhabitable and makes it impossible for the traffic cops to hang or place anything on the walls, forcing them to pile their belongings, uniforms and civil attire, at the centre of the low-ceiling room. To make matter worse, there is no separate changing room for the female personnel. In addition to this, the severe seepage has also affected the row of cabinets meant to store official files in the office area.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board, the Panaji Health officer and the Corporation of the City of Panaji on Friday issued notices to the Director General of Police over the sewage water flowing at the Panaji Traffic Cell.
Notices were issued after officials conducted an inspection on Thursday, acting on a complaint filed by Adv Aires Rodrigues.
In his complaint submitted on January 7, to the three authorities, Adv Rodrigues sought action including evacuating and sealing of the premises till it is safe and free of any health risk. It was pointed that the Traffic Cell was in a very hazardous state with the sewage flowing and posing serious health risks to the staff working there besides the public visiting the office.
During the inspection, the officials observed the unhygienic condition of the traffic cell and were informed that the flow becomes heavier during the rainy season.
GSPCB issued the DGP directions under Section 33(A) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 to inspect the toilet facility and to ensure that the police authorities carry out water proofing to ensure stoppage of water leakage from the toilets. DGP has been given 15 days to submit a compliance report failing which GSPCB is likely to initiate stringent legal action.
Health officer of Panaji issued directions under Section 40 (1) of the Goa Public Health Act, 1985 to abate the nuisance and prevent its recurrence within a period of seven days or to face a fine of Rs 500 per day under the Act.
CCP issued a show-cause notice to the DGP giving him seven days to act or face action in terms of the CCP Act.
