Challenges…
The main cause of tourist spots being unclean is because of low awareness about hygiene and sanitation among tourists themselves. Over and above, with the lack of quality in the service provided by the concessionaires at these tourist spots, sanitation is much affected. Inaccessibility to the interior areas of beaches also remains a factor for lack of proper maintenance demanding adaption of mechanised solutions.
Realizing the importance of cleanliness and the need for quality services, The government is now ready to invest in cleaning equipment and quality maintenance services. The Tourism department is actively pursuing the goal of complete garbage collection and removal from the tourist destinations. Outsourcing is also being considered to achieve the goal of ‘Clean Goa’ with global tenders already being floated for cleaning equipment and services.
Beach cleaning operations…
Mechanized cleaning of beaches is being done in phases in the State. Beaches like Baga, Kalinga, Sinquerim, Miramar and Colva will be cleaned in phase one. In phase two, heritage spots will slowly be included.
Annual tenders worth र14 to र15 crores have been floated which will take care of all sanitation needs. The agencies selected will be responsible for maintaining the areas under their purview. Many spots in old Goa like the Mangeshi temple will soon have cleaning machines for maintenance. The main focus of maintenance in tourist spots involves removal and disposal of rubbish from the areas. A waste plant at Kallangur treats all the waste collected. A new plant is also being planned to cater to the whole of north Goa’s need for segregating and treating garbage collected from the coastal areas and tourist places.
Need for solutions…
Despite mechanised cleaning solutions being deployed, the results leave a lot to be desired. Monthly check ups on standards of sanitation conducted by supervisors are met with unfinished jobs. Right now my team is in Australia studying the sanitation methods applied there.
The state boosts of colourful culture, star quality hospitably services, delectable cuisine and beautiful landscapes; but all these distinguishing characteristics are marred due to un-kept and dirty public and tourist places. The increasing population also lowers the efficacy levels of garbage management. There is a need to slowly implement effective cleaning technology that will represent Goa as a beautiful and clean tourist destination.
We hope to see the latest technological advancements in the cleaning sector while visiting Clean India Pulire.