MAPUSA
A men’s urinal in the heart of Mapusa has become an eyesore and a health hazard, causing significant distress to pedestrians and shopkeepers.
The facility, lacking a proper sewerage connection and water supply, has resulted in muck stagnation and filthy conditions.
This situation has drawn ire from local business owners and residents, who describe the state of the urinal as appalling and unbearable.
Surrounded by several commercial establishments including hotels and a bank, the urinal is located in a densely populated urban area frequented by hundreds of people, including tourists visiting the famous Mapusa market.
The existence of this open toilet raises serious concerns about sanitation and public health in such a prominent location.
“The foul smell makes it difficult to stand there for even a moment. People also ease themselves in the open in the area. It’s so difficult for us to conduct business in such a condition,” said a woman who owns a commercial establishment nearby.
The unbearable stench and unsanitary conditions have made life difficult for both workers and visitors in the vicinity.
Another local business owner highlighted the issue of mosquitoes infesting the area due to the stagnant muck.
“The place does not only stink but the place is infested with a lot of mosquitoes. Many men come here to urinate we feel very uncomfortable. The government and the civic administration should pay attention towards the pitiable condition of the urinal. Arrangements should also be made for its regular cleaning,” she said.
The urinal, which is reportedly in an advanced state of neglect, is rarely cleaned, with garbage often dumped in the surrounding area, further exacerbating the situation.
Appeals have been made for the Mapusa Municipal Council to either relocate or reconstruct the facility to provide proper sanitation for market visitors.
Despite the city grappling with a shortage of public toilets, the lack of proper signage to locate existing facilities has also added to the problem.
A few years ago, the deputy collector initiated efforts to improve public toilet facilities, including potential new installations.
However, these efforts have yet to yield significant results.
A senior official at the Mapusa Municipal Council acknowledged the long-standing existence of the urinal and its convenience for men due to its corner location. “As of now there is no proposal for the construction of new public toilets but we will put this particular urinal before the higher-ups,” the official stated.
Residents and business owners continue to urge the authorities to address the situation promptly, emphasising the urgent need for hygienic and accessible public sanitation facilities in Mapusa.
