Marcos Gonsalves
MARGAO: The GOACAN, an NGO, as part of its Toilets For All Awareness Fortnight on Friday called for the maintenance, cleanliness and safety at all the public pay toilets in the jurisdiction of Margao Municipal Council on the occasion of World Toilet Day, which was celebrated, on Friday.
In a letter to Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes, the GOACAN has pointed out that during the fortnight its volunteers have been making special checks of pay toilets at the bus stands, markets and other public places to check for cleanliness, safety, display of rates, mandatory signage and facilities for senior citizens, women and persons with disabilities.
It was noticed that the public pay toilet located in the municipal garden opposite State Bank of India is not accessible as the gate of the garden is locked. On checking with the staff present there, the GOACAN volunteers were informed that the garden is closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The letter has stated that as the government has now relaxed many conditions for movement of the public and since the municipal garden is a space for recreation it would be appropriate for the MMC to take proactive steps in this matter.
The letter also pointed out that the charges for a single use of the urinal at the public pay toilet opposite Fatima Convent has been raised to Rs 3 and the signage for the same is so small that it is not readable by the user.
Further, the NGO stated that the rates for the use of the public pay toilets and the appropriate signage for the same must be jointly decided by the civic body and the concerned service provider and it is important that the toilets have the required support/aid like handrails etc. fitted for the benefit of senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The GOACAN has requested the CO to prepare a list of the public pay toilets in the jurisdiction of the MMC with their serial number and locations and display the same on signboards at prominent places in Margao for the knowledge of the public.