PRATIK PARAB
The State of Goa has had a network of public toilets for years now. Margao town and suburban areas also have 19 Public Toilets (Sulabh Sauchalayas) which were inaugurated by the present and former elected representatives of the commercial capital. Sadly the condition of these 19 Sulabhs is not the one which the old and new city fathers can feel proud of. The Margao Municipality has stopped receiving any income from these Sulabhs. The lack of control over the amounts received for using the public toilet, over flowing septic tanks, booze parties in the ladies section of the toilet and untraceable contractors is the sordid script of how these toilets have been maintained.
The Margao Town has been rightly named as the Commercial Capital of Goa for its huge wholesale and retail business which attracts lot of floating population into the town. People from several states come to the town for jobs and businesses. But there are several public toilets where hutments have been built and no one from the targeted people seems to be using the public toilet facility. Several sulabhs, which are not in use, have become liabilities and have stopped making up for any income to the MMC. The Margao Municipal area has 23 public toilets. The ones behind Vishant theatre, behind Kurtarkar Cooperative Society building and one behind Malbhat Commercial Complex are the only ones which are being looked after by the Civic body. The rest are the responsibility of the Sulabh International agency.
In a recent development a sulabh sauchalay in Municipal property, ignored for years, was demolished to pave way for a developer for a new building construction. These public toilets were being looked after by the MMC in the past. Excluding the three public toilets maintained by the MMC, not a penny of revenue is received for the rest of the sulabhs maintained by the Sulabh International. The MMC does hold regular meetings with the Sulabh International agency but nothing major happens at these meetings.
MARGAO MARKET: The Margao Market sees a huge footfall of shoppers on any day of the year. This crowd mostly comprises of women and to avoid problems to the women a public toilet has been functioning opposite Borkar’s Superstores near the Pickup stand. The contract also earns some revenue for the MMC. However, excluding this public toilet, the condition of the other toilets of the state is opposite. The public toilets are running without any supervision.
MALBHAT: The public toilet in Malbhat near Konkan Railway is in dreadful conditions. This Sulabh, which is looked after by the agency, has become a gambling den. The ladies section of this sulabh turns into a gambling area in the evening. Both sections of the public toilets are being used by gents. The ladies section also doubles up as a kitchen in the dark hours.
HOUSING BOARD: The Housing Board sulabh is in a pitiable condition. But Sulabh Sauchalay is the only option for these people and this one sulabh is used by several people. But the cleanliness of this public toilet has been compromised and the people are forced to use this bad condition sulabh.
MONTE DONGOR: Senior Citizen from Monte Dongor Maula Balbatti informed that the entire area of Monte has two public toilets but has over 2,000 users. “People are forced to defecate in open,” said Balbatti. The women on Monte hill are the worst affected and are forced to stand in queue with their children for hours. “There was no water for the last 15 days. Now there is water supply but has no pressure leaving no option for the people to defecate in open,” said Maula.
MMC GARDEN: The public toilet in the Margao Municipal Garden, which was inaugurated five years back, is one of the best maintained and Air conditioned toilet in Margao. “The toilet, being right under the nose of the MMC, is maintained well,” said Wilfred D’Souza. It comes handy for all the garden visitors and is also earning revenue for the MMC. However, the condition of the toilet at old fish market is opposite to this. The septic tank of this Sulabh has been overflowing and the water is going into a nallah nearby. People in the vicinity are being forced to face the foul smell every day.
KTC BUS STAND: The public toilet at Kadamba Bus Stand is used scantily and the passengers and the drivers/conductors of the private, tourist and Kadamba buses are seen urinating in open. The water from the septic tank flows out during rains. The major reason for the non use of the Sauchalay is also the overcharging by the custodian at the toilet.
When asked about the public toilets, MMC Chief Officer Yashwant Tawde said, “There is no income from the 19 Sulabh toilets in the MMC areas. Some of the public toilets are in very bad and filthy condition. People have also complained regarding the same,” he said.
When contacted, the Official of Sulabh International, Sushil Kumar, maintained that all the Sulabhs are in good condition. “Loss or profit, we provide services to all the areas equally,” said Sushil Kumar.
Sadly, “this service” is all too visible. And it stinks.
