MARGAO
Inspections of sanitation facilities in the commercial capital by an NGO has brought out the stark reality that the public pay toilets crave for maintenance, cleanliness and safety for the visitors.
It has come to light that the Public Pay Toilet located in the Municipal Garden, Opp State Bank of India is not accessible as the gate of the garden is locked. Inquiries by the NGO with the staff present there have revealed that the garden is closed to the public due to Covid restrictions.
The NGO, however, has pointed out that as the Goa government has now relaxed many conditions for movement of the public and since the Municipal Garden is a space for recreation it would be appropriate for the MMC to take proactive steps in this matter.
In fact, as part of its ‘Toilets for All’ awareness programme fortnight, Goacan has called for the maintenance, cleanliness and safety at all the public pay toilets in the jurisdiction of Margao Municipal Council.
In a letter to MMC Chief Officer, Agnelo Fernandes, Goacan has pointed out that during the fortnight its volunteers have been making special checks of pay toilets at bus stands, markets and other public places to check for cleanliness, safety, display of rates, mandatory signage and facilities for senior citizens, women & persons with disabilities.
The letter also pointed out that the charges for a single use of the urinal at the public pay toilet opposite Fatima Convent has been raised to Rs 3 and the signage for the same is so small that it is not readable by the user.
The letter further pointed out that the rates for the use of the public pay toilets and the appropriate signage for the same must be jointly decided by the MMC and the concerned service provider and it is important that the toilets have the required support/aid like handrails, etc fitted for the benefit of senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Goacan has requested the Chief Officer to prepare a list of the public pay toilets in the jurisdiction of the MMC with their serial number & locations and display the same on signboards at prominent places in Margao for the knowledge of the public.
Copies of the Goacan letter has been sent to the Secretary Urban Development, Directors of Urban Development & Social Welfare, Dy Collector Salcete and Assistant Director Department of Consumer Affairs.
