the goan I network
MAPUSA
Mapusa town finally got a much-needed new toilet facility in the heart of the popular municipal market on Thursday.
Stressing the need of toilet facilities in markets, Vice Chairman of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) and Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza said Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) will identify spots and construct more such facilities in the market.
“People from all over the world visit the Mapusa Friday market and there are others who drop in for their daily shopping. Toilet facility is very essential in markets and importantly it has to be clean and well maintained. We will identify more such spots in the market area where more toilets could be constructed,” D’Souza said.
The Mapusa MLA was speaking after inaugurating the new Sulabh toilet near Mapusa fish market.
MMC Chairperson, Ryan Braganza, MMC Vice Chairperson, Marlene D’Souza, Market Chairman, Sushant Harmalkar, Chief Officer Clen Madeira and other councillors were also present.
Continuing, D’Souza said that these were waterless toilets and the same concept will be used to construct other toilets in the market.
MMC Chairperson Ryan Braganza said other toilets will soon be renovated and upgraded on similar lines in the municipal market.
The toilet has been constructed at a cost of Rs 29 lakh. The financial burden was equally shared by the Mapusa civic body and the Sulabh International agency.
The toilet facility is made up of two separate blocks for women and men.
Sulabh International which will look after the maintenance of the facility will charge a nominal fee for those who use the facility. There are at least three other spots in the market which has toilet blocks but have remained shut for lack of maintenance and other reasons.
Time and again the media had highlighted the issue of lack of toilet facilities in Mapusa market.
Socially active citizens had also raised the toilet issue on social media, particularly on Facebook.
