State to provide free toilet facilities, clean water to stem health crisis at Cutbona jetty

Margao: State govt has announced immediate measures to address the deteriorating health and sanitation conditions at the Cutbona jetty following reports of serious health issues among workers employed on fishing trawlers.In a high-level meeting convened at the secretariat on Monday, fisheries secretary Prasanna Acharya assured that resolving the health crisis at the Cutbona jetty was govt’s priority, and promised comprehensive action to tackle the mounting problems.It was informed that state govt will provide free toilet facilities through Sulabh International at the newly constructed 50-seater toilet block with immediate effect.

This measure aims to eliminate open defecation at the jetty, which has been identified as a major health hazard.Arrangements will also be made to supply filtered water for the drinking and cooking requirements of fishing trawler workers to prevent water-borne diseases.Further, it was decided that the state fisheries department will collaborate with the Velim panchayat to ensure regular collection of dry and wet garbage, addressing the waste accumulation problem that has contributed to unsanitary conditions at the jetty.

The meeting also reviewed ongoing health screening programmes for fishing trawler workers to identify any signs of water or vector-borne diseases. Acharya said all stakeholders would be taken into confidence to improve facilities at the jetty.Fisheries director Shamila Monteiro, representatives of Goacan, local panchs, health department officials, including state epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar, and various fisheries cooperative leaders were among those present at the meeting.