-- Samir Umarye T he government might be promoting Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, but the villagers of Shirgao are upset over public toilets that have been closed for the last eight years, causing an inconvenience to the people.
It may be stated that the government, under a zilla panchayat scheme, had constructed two toilets near the famous Lairai Temple in 2007 and they were inaugurated at the hands of then Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar. Shirgao sarpanch Babuso Gaonkar has expressed great displeasure over the government toilets in the village remaining unused for more than eight years. “ It is almost eight years, but the toilets are locked and no one is using them. Time and again we have told the MLA about this structure, which is locked and is of no use to the public, but he only gives us assurances that he will look into the matter,” said Gaonkar. He added, “ It is a waste of government funds. We request the government to either handover the structure to us or give us permission to demolish it.” The residents of Shirgao are also upset over the plight of this unused structure. “ This toilet could be of great help, especially to devotees who come to the village during the Zatra, as there is no other facility in the village. This year, the panchayat had to install mobile toilets for the public,” said a resident. He added, “ People from all over Goa and also from neighbouring States come for this zatra. It is surprising that despite proper toilets being built by the government, it remains closed.” Two toilets were constructed by the govt under a ZP scheme and inaugurated by Parrikar in 2007; Toilets have been closed for the last 8 years A toilet that has been unused for the last eight years samir umarye bicholim It is almost eight years, but the toilets are locked and no one is using them. Time and again we have told the MLA about this structure, which is locked and is of no use to the public, but he only gives us assurances that he will look into the matter. It is a waste of government funds. We request the government to either handover the structure to us or give us permission to demolish it — Babuso Gaonkar, Shirgao sarpanch This toilet could be of great help, especially to devotees who come to the village during the Zatra, as there is no other facility in the village. This year, the panchayat had to install mobile toilets for the public People from across Goa and from neighbouring States come for this zatra. It is surprising that despite proper toilets being built by the government, it remains closed — Shirgao local quote room