Believe it or not but all efforts by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) to develop and beautify Baina Beach, is turning out to be futile, as the raw sewage from the nearby Sulabh toilet has been allowed to be discharged directly into the beach with authorities concerned turning their blind eye towards this menace.
What is more surprising is the fact that the state government has spent about Rs 2 crores for phase-1 development and beautification of Baina beach. The said project is also nearing completion but no efforts were made by the authorities concerned to stop release of sewage which has been posing high risk to the people visiting this beach every day to spend their leisure time.
“It is quite surprising to note that barely few metres away from already beautified potion of the Baina beach, this Sulabh toilet is been releasing untreated raw sewage into the sea and this has become an eyesore. Inquiry with the Sulabh officials revealed that they have not constructed proper septic tank for the toilet which is being used by hundreds of people from Baina slums every day,” said Pramod Amonkar a resident of Vasco.
Raising similar concerns, the local councillor Murari Bandekar has urged the concerned authorities to immediately issue directions to Sulabh toilet operators not to release sewage on the beach. “Firstly it was duty of concerned authorities to take measures and stop the menace created by the Sulabh toilet. With open defecation the beauty of the beach is already marred and the release of sewage has become an eyesore. I feel that along with the Baina beautification work, GTDC or any other competent authority should have included Sulabh toilet in their development plans as due to lack of proper toilet facilities, poor people are forced to defecate on the beach area,” said Bandekar.
As the issue was serious and was related to health of public, Herald contacted MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik, who was also surprised to note about the sewage. “I am shocked to note that they have been releasing sewage on the beach. It’s unacceptable and I would issue directions to the municipal engineers to inspect the site and issue notice to Sulabh toilet official. Also I will ensure that this menace stops immediately as releasing sewage on the beach will not only pollute sea water but would be cause harm to the beach visitors,” said Naik.
