Poor facilities at Panjim garden irks public

Residents of Panjim and the public in general have been facing a major inconvenience during their visit to the Bhagwan Mahavir Bal Vihar Garden at Panjim due to several issues. The public have complained about the lack of sanitation facilities. There is only one pay toilet available at the garden that caters to several visitors. People visit the garden and undergo huge inconveniences while using the toilet as it is kept unclean due to excess usage. Also, they have complained that one pay toilet is not sufficient for the people, visiting the place in large numbers.

Many schools organise their school picnics to the garden and face the same problem. Firstly, the children use the toilet a lot more often. Also, due to the lack of toilets these children and the other general public are forced to relieve themselves publicly, causing health and cleanliness issues. 

Considering that the garden caters to people in large numbers, the Government needs to take up the issue and take appropriate actions. The garden is a famous tourist spot in the capital city. 

Roshan Naik, a resident of Panjim said, “It is very frustrating that there are no public toilets at the garden. The garden has only one toilet which is available at the eatery and is also a pay toilet. Also, the garden is quite big and therefore people have to walk from one end just to use the pay toilet. There should be more public toilets constructed at the garden as there are so many visitors, and the garden is large.”

The public have also complained about the lack of cleanliness at the pay toilet which is available and have stated that there should be regular checkups made by the Government. The construction of public toilets is being considered a prominent issue in the Smart City Plan and should be accomplished regardless of the plan being approved by the Government as it is a major concern regarding the environment and health of the people. The public is also disappointed with the lack of drinking water facilities as there are no taps at the garden and therefore people are obliged to buy water bottles from the eatery. However, the eatery has been charging well over the MRP of the bottle. 

Ramesh Vhonnalr, a staff member of Loyola High school said, “Our school conducts picnics at this garden. However, there are no drinking water facilities which is a big disappointment. The Government should do something about it as there are so many people visiting the garden. During picnics children tend to feel thirsty, considering this fact and that the garden is a public place the authorities should construct drinking taps for the general public.”

The public have also criticised the eatery at the garden of being very expensive. The children visiting the garden are then forced to buy an expensive meal causing inconvenience to them on a large scale. The Government has been requested to take up the issue and arrange for more eateries that should be affordable to the general public. The Government should also have a regular check-up on the basic facilities in the garden. 

Hayden Colaco, a resident of Panjim said, “The garden should have basic facilities that the public requires such as water taps, toilets and also a few stalls to at least buy something at a reasonable rate. Not every person can spend his money on expensive eatables at the ‘Forrest’ eatery in the garden. The authorities should take note of these issues and act immediately.”

On questioning, a Forest Department Official stated that there will be no extra toilets constructed at the garden as the pay toilet is sufficient. He said, “I haven’t received any complaints yet and therefore I don’t see the need to construct extra toilets. The pay toilet situated at the garden is sufficient.” He also stated that the garden has no pipeline and therefore nothing can be done regarding the installation of drinking water taps. “My office also has no water taps. I understand that this issue is prominent. However, I am waiting for the new pipeline to be constructed, after which appropriate decisions will be made,” he added.