PANJIM: Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has used up almost Rs 6 crore on the construction of just three washrooms. Shocking but true, the toilets – two at Old Goa and one at Mala – have cost the taxpayer Rs 5.89 crore.
Information obtained under the Right To Information Act (RTI) by Herald reveals, that the construction of washrooms at Old Goa for the 2014 Exposition in two packages cost Rs 3,32,98,087 (Package I was Rs 1,67,54,331 and Package II was Rs 1,65,43,756). The RTI reply also reveals that the construction of washrooms at Mala (Package I) will cost Rs 2,56,43,457.
After having spent Rs 3.32 crore on the washrooms at Old Goa, they are now shut and are opened only for the 10 days of the novenas and feast of St Francis Xavier. “These washrooms are never opened except in December. What is the use of constructing them?” a vendor situated next to the washroom near the Se Cathedral, said.
Another vendor, who did not want to be named, said, that at both places there were existing toilet and washroom facilities and the new ones were not required. “Besides, during the Exposition they had already brought chemical toilets, so these toilets were literally of no use,” he said.
What came as a further shock was that during the Exposition, the government spent Rs 78.5 lakh on installation and maintenance of the chemical toilets.
Compare this huge cost for washrooms with the construction a primary school in Cambrabhat, which is approximately around 200 sq metres with modern facilities and a compound wall. GSIDC took this up at just Rs 70,15,874.
Similarly, the reconstruction of Government Primary School at Falwada, Cudnem Bicholim has been taken up at Rs 71,77,814 and construction of a Primary School at Tamsodo Dharbandora at Rs 99,77,392.
And, the washroom facilities in Old Goa and Mala do not have the facilities available at the Tonca primary school.
Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte, who is in the construction business, questioned the huge costs of construction. “At the present construction cost of Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per sq mt, the costs of these toilets, which are only around 100 sq mt cannot be more than Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh unless GSIDC has used gold fittings with diamonds adorning it,” he said.
He pointed out that the PWD rate for a small single toilet is Rs 28,000 and at that rate you can build 10 toilets for Rs 2.80 lakh. “This shows how GSIDC is being misused for personal benefits,” he said.
When contacted, GSIDC Vice Chairman Siddharth Kunkolienkar said the washrooms being constructed in Panjim are part of the redevelopment of Mala with funds acquired through a Challenge Fund floated by the central government under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.
“Three toilets are presently being constructed out of which one has been completed and the others are in progress. Some of the residents of Mala live in unfortunate circumstances where their immediate urban neighbourhoods lack private and public facilities,” he said, adding that the washrooms in question are being built to serve their needs.
“With regards to Old Goa, the washrooms and toilets were built during the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier. This was built from funds allocated for the upgradation of infrastructure. Being a prestigious event of international significance and considering the quantum of pilgrims expected, the washrooms were well designed keeping in mind the needs of the people,” he said.
“Since Old Goa is a heritage site of international significance and has a large volume of tourists, travelers and locals visiting, it was decided to make a one-time investment and make the structure permanent,” Kunkolienkar said.
The GSIDC vice-chairman, however, did not reply to the exorbitant costs of constructing these toilets.
