PONDA: Hundreds of passengers from various parts of Goa who visit Ponda Old Bus stand on a daily basis are inconvenienced due to lack of a toilet at the stand. It has been more than two months that the bus stand toilet has been closed for public use due to its pathetic and dilapidated condition. However, before closing the toilet, the KTC failed to make an alternative arrangement. Due to this, passengers, especially women including college girls, are facing tremendous hardship.
One woman who sells flowers at the bus stand said the male passengers manage somehow, but women are forced to face inconvenience and this may cause health issues for them. Irked over lack of toilet facility, furious women passengers said the government is boasting of Swachh Bharat, but where is the toilet at the Ponda bus stand?
Social worker Viraj Sapre said he had complained to various authorities including health department, Ponda Municipality and Goa State Pollution Control Board, but no action has been taken. He said our men and women including mothers, sisters and daughters face hardship. Politicians are wishing people with Happy Diwali banners, but it appears only they are happy and people are suffering, he said. The government should work on a war footing and provide toilets at the bus stand, Sapre added.
Further as doors of the toilet are open some passengers even defecate near the toilet blocks and thus the Ponda old bus stand is stinking. People fear that this may cause a health hazard.
Meanwhile the Ponda Municipality officials said the work on construction of an alternate toilet at the old bus stand has begun and it would get ready within a week.
However the local vendors said considering the slow pace of work, it would take at least one month’s time to complete. The vendors too are angry but fearing revenge from authorities they said they can’t openly speak against them.
