Vikramaditya
Baratang, May 20: The toilet block at Nilambur Jetty is in a deplorable state, having not been cleaned for the past seven days. The urinals are overflowing, and the Indian-style toilet commodes are filled with human waste. Compounding the issue, there is no water in the toilet block because there is no one to manage the water supply.
Baratang is a well-known tourist spot and a crucial transit point for travelers on NH4. Many people rely on the facilities at the jetty, but the current condition of the toilet block makes it impossible for tourists and passengers to even enter. The stench from the toilets has become so severe that it can now be smelled from the road.
When contacted, Mr. Alager Swamy, the Zilla Parishad member of Baratang, told Andaman Sheekha that the cleaning staff have not been paid salary for the past three months. Consequently, the staff have stopped working. Reports indicate that there were four cleaning staff at the Nilambur Jetty toilet block and three cleaners at Middle Strait toilet block. However, all have ceased working due to unpaid salaries.
Mr. Alager Swamy has demanded the immediate release of salaries for the cleaning staff to ensure the toilets are kept clean. The current state of the toilet block not only tarnishes the reputation of Baratang as a tourist destination but also poses significant health risks to the many travelers who pass through the area.
Mr. Alager Swami demanded that the authorities need to address this issue promptly to restore the cleanliness and functionality of the toilet block. Immediate action is required to pay the salaries of the cleaning staff and ensure regular maintenance. This will not only improve the hygiene conditions at the jetty but also provide much-needed relief to the travelers and tourists visiting Baratang.
