UNDER SCRUTINY: The Mapusa toilet block’s rate board lists higher charges than other towns, sparking public outrage.
Visitors to the bustling Mapusa market are raising alarm over not just the shortage of public urinals and toilets, but also what they describe as excessive and unjustified user charges at some facilities run by the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC).
A pay-and-use toilet located opposite the KTC bus stand, adjacent to the PWD office, has become the latest point of contention after users complained of being charged Rs 5 for urinal use, compared to Rs 3 in Margao, Vasco and Ponda.
“Goa is a tourist State and therefore having toilets at key areas is crucial. But this kind of rip-off is not acceptable. I hope the authorities will take due action on this,” said Reshma Naik, a resident of Duler, Mapusa.
Consumer rights group GOACAN, which has been monitoring the issue of essential public services across Goa, also called the higher toilet charges “unjust and insensitive”.
“We cannot expect citizens and tourists to pay more simply because a civic body has failed to manage its own facilities. Basic necessities should not become avenues for arbitrary pricing,” said a GOACAN representative.
Frequent market-goers say the issue is not limited to pricing alone. Mapusa, known for its iconic Friday Market that attracts thousands of locals and tourists alike, is said to have a severe shortage of accessible and clean washrooms.
“On busy market days, people – especially women – end up walking long distances to find a usable toilet. Many of the existing ones are in terrible shape,” said a regular vendor.
Residents point out that several public toilets across the town are in dilapidated condition, with poor maintenance, leaking pipelines, broken doors and inadequate water supply. The civic body, they allege, has repeatedly failed to prioritise essential services.
“Mapusa deserves better. If the municipal council can collect taxes and fees, they must also ensure decent public facilities. Tourists often ask where the toilets are, and we feel embarrassed,” said Pandurang Sawant, a shopkeeper in the market.
The criticism comes close on the heels of another rebuke: just weeks ago, health officials issued a notice to the MMC for unhygienic conditions at the fish and meat market. Only after the warning did the council undertake an extensive clean-up.
When contacted, a senior official of the Mapusa Municipal Council acknowledged the concerns but said steps were underway to address them.
