Ponda in dire need of proper toilet facilities

The common man visiting various public places like the market, bus stand, government offices, not only face hardships in getting their work done on time but also suffer due to the unavailability of a proper toilet.

In fact, public toilets are among a major issue in Ponda and citizens have been demanding proper toilet facilities for some time now.

Ironically, the government has been promoting cleanliness drives through its Swach Bharat programmes, even as the ground reality depicts another story.

It appears that the lack of public toilets and other similar facilities is hampering the Swach Bharat drive and citizens are quick to point out that the availability of proper toilets, especially in public and crowded places would boost and maintain the Swatch Bharat programme.

Though there are toilet facilities at a few places at bus stand and market area, several more are required in other locations, which greatly inconvenience the general population.

The government building in Ponda too does not have a toilet for the public and the one that exists has been strictly maintained for staff use only. Sometimes, even if the toilets are available, there are no proper signs to indicate the existence of such facilities, resulting in hardships to citizens.

It seems inappropriate that despite having such a large and ever-growing population, with around 1.50 lakh people, proper sanitary facilities are not provided to them.

The scene is the same whether it is an industrial location or a tourist spot, people are inconvenienced due to lack of proper facilities, the demand for which has fallen on deaf ears for over a decade now.

A general people to toilet ration will reveal an alarming disparity, specially in areas where such a facility should be mandatory, including schools, balwadis, municipal areas, market, KTC bus stand etc.

The saddest part is that even if there is a toilet located in the vicinity, it is in such a bad state that people prefer to urinate in the open rather than the toilet, which is seldom maintained properly.

Besides non-availability of water, inadequate infrastructure and basic amenities one has to encounter the careless attitude of government officials responsible for maintaining these facilities. 

In Ponda City and Market area one can see only at two places where toilets and urinal facility exists, while around fifteen places have become a zone of open defecation, due to lack of proper toilets.  

According to Kavlem Sarpanch Rajesh Kavlekar though the panchayat is trying to construct toilets for tourists at the tourist spot  in Kavlem near the temple, the land owners are objecting to the initiative and it has become hurdle.

He was, however, optimistic that they would construct the toilet under the Swach Bharat mission and would hold a gram sabha regarding this issue soon.

According to Nandesh Naik the government has displayed several sign boards related to Swatch Bharat in public areas but instead it would help if the government constructed similar number of toilets for the general public.

According to Pandurang Naik if Ponda public visits the four-storey administrative cum Mamaltdar office building where offices of PWD, National Highway, Mamalatdar Office, Deputy Collector, water resource, Civil Supply and Marriage and sub-registrar etc were located, they would face the difficulty of finding a toilet as they are located inside the offices, where it is difficult for the general public to locate it.

According to Viraj Sapre RTI activist at least in each ward of Ponda there should be one toilet facility for the public. Only bus stand and market areas have toilets that are badly maintained and many people and vendors avoids it due to lack of cleanliness and overcharging.  

He said government should provide free toilet and urinal facility for public instead of wasting its money on unnecessary works . Many people urinate in open areas. He cited that Goa being tourist destination must have proper toilets at public places and highways. 

According to NGO Goa CAN Convenor, Roland Martin, who visited Ponda said the lack of toilet facilities at public places is hazardous to the health of the general public. 

He said at least suggestion should come from councillors, chairpersons as to how many toilets were required in their muncipal area and should convey the same to government. Umesh Naik at least one toilet facility should be provided at public places at villages including panchayat office, temple areas, vegetable and fish markets to avoid inconvenience of public.

According Manoj Naik toilets at government building and also private buildings were mostly used by people working in it and even though the visiting people were their clients the toilets were marked only for staff.

Councillor of PMC Venktesh Naik said only at two toilets were available in the municipal area at bus stand and market place and emphasised the need for more. 

Ponda Market Vendors President Kishore Mamlekar said the toilet in market should be kept clean and should also be at reasonable rates.

 A shop owner operating from shops in new Market Complex in Ponda, said although government and PMC have inaugurated Ponda Market complex few shop owners operating from this complex face hardship in absence of toilet facility.