Open defecation is no longer restricted to the airport road or fields adjoining the Cutbona fishing jetty or migrant hubs. Sanitation and garbage problems have come to haunt local authorities and citizens alike around the Salcete countryside, with an increasing number of locals leasing out their premises to migrants.
While the owners make a fast buck by collecting hefty rent from the tenants, the local populace is forced to face the brunt of the sanitation and garbage menace in the absence of any mechanism for disposal.
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Take the case of Cuncolim. Hordes of migrants are putting up in rented premises across the municipal area, with the town playing host to the Industrial estate. But, complaints are galore over poor or total absence of sanitation facilities provided by the landlords.
Says a local resident, Kevin D’Cruz, who took up the issue of open defecation by migrants in and around the Nanguillo, Josegalle, Gotton, Demani and Mollanguinim areas: “We have complained to the local MLA Rajan Naik about open defecation by migrants and locals near a stream. This is totally unacceptable as it poses a health hazard to the local populace”.
“Added to this major health hazard is the dumping of plastic and garbage in the stream. This not only contaminates the water, but is an environmental hazard”, remarked Arnold Fernandes.
Admitting that sanitation is a problem faced in many areas with the influx of migrants, the Cuncolim MLA says that awareness amongst the residents can help curb open defecation. “Locals have leased out their premises to the migrants. A committee should be put in place to spread awareness amongst the citizens on this issue. Owners should make adequate provision for sanitation before leasing out their premises,” Rajan said.
Kevin and other signatories have now asked the MLA to make toilet facilities a mandatory requisite for all people renting out their premises.
The problem of open defecation and poor sanitation facilities has also come to the fore in areas on the outskirts of the commercial capital. Cashing in on the influx of migrant families, unscrupulous land owners have converted even low-lying areas into chawls and shanties to accommodate the migrants, but at the cost of sanitation and hygiene.
