the goan I network
VASCO
Mormugao Deputy Collector Mahadev Arondekar on Friday convened a meeting to review the open defecation scenario in Mormugao Taluka.
The meeting was co-hosted by the NGO ‘GOACAN’, which has been playing a vital role in improving public toilet services in Goa.
The meeting sought clarification on the condition of Sulabh toilets while discussing complaints of over charging fees. The issue of open defecation all over Vasco and parts of Mormugao dominated the discussion.
At the meeting attended by heads of various departments, it was revealed that there was no road map or an outline plan with any of the agencies on the present number and condition of public toilets and the need for more public toilets considering the population growth.
Sources informed that only one MMC Councillor submitted the amount of additional toilets needed in Vasco town.
While the police informed that cases of open defecation were on the rise, the Sulabh International Agency claimed that they are closing operations of various Sauchalayas due to no takers for use of toilet facilities.
GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins said the review of the public toilets was sought in 2016 due to complaints of maintenance and also of overcharging people.
“During this review meeting, we have asked for a status report on the difficulties the agencies have faced. Some directions are also sought to take some corrective steps to inform and encourage people to use toilets and not to defecate in the open,” said Martins.
During the meeting, it was also revealed that the condition of toilets at government schools were bad and needed urgent repairs.
Besides, it was informed that two public toilets in areas of high open defecation like Mangor Hill had closed down, while an area like Kharewado with a high migrants percentage has just one toilet facility.
Arondekar said the meeting was convened with the aim to prevent open defecation by means of putting all public toilets in place.
