Toilets sporting poor hygiene at Chidiyatapu:::::Pathetic Condition of Changing and Washroom at Chidiyatapu Beach upset visitors

Vikramaditya

Port Blair, Feb 23: Launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission and specific instructions of the Lt. Governor to ensure proper upkeep of public facilities notwithstanding, the facilities at tourist hotspot, Chidiyatapu, are lying locked and are in a state of total neglect.

Reports say of the changing room for gents at Chidiyatapu Beach have been kept locked by authorities for reasons unknown, while the ones for ladies are in shambles. The changing room of ladies do not have latch.

The fresh water showers in both ladies and gents area are reportedly sans water supply and users are forced to acquire water from the adjacent stinking lavatory’s tank.

“Despite the fact that Chidiyatapu is one of the most favourite destinations, the official laxity towards proper maintenance of public facilities has drawn the ire of tourists of late. Hundreds throng the venue daily, take a dip in the tranquil blue waters. But to their dismay, they find the public bathrooms and lavatories either locked or in a bad shape. The situation is particularly become a major problem for ladies, who unlike their male counterparts, cannot opt for the nearby bushes,” said an irate tourist from Kolkata.

“The facilities for gents are always kept locked as if the authority concerned is comfortable with people opting for the ‘open loo’ in the pristine tourist destination. The shower area of both gents and ladies are water-less facility. Scores of tourists from various parts of the country carry bad names of these islands back home when are forced to draw water from the reeking lavatory nearby. The government agency responsible for maintenance of the facilities should immediately intervene and take necessary steps to set things in order at Chidiyatapu,” said another.

There is a water head tank near the changing room of Chidiyatapu but there is no one to fill the tank, it seems.

For implementation of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the top brass of the administration should immediately verify the reports of public facilities sporting poor hygiene at Chidiyatapu. Officials found guilty of dereliction of duty should be taken to task and strict instructions should be issued for proper upkeep of toilet facilities at the tourist spot.