Goa Tourism Hands Over 20 Refurbished Public Toilets for Operation and Maintenance
Panaji, 4th September 2025 – The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, hands over the operation and maintenance of 20 refurbished public toilet facilities at prominent tourist locations across the state to Sulabh International Social Service Organization (SISSO). In line with the vision of Swachh Bharat and towards enhancing tourist welfare, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, has taken decisive steps to ensure uninterrupted and quality sanitation facilities at key tourist locations across the state.
Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) had earlier developed 21 public convenience blocks across beaches of Goa under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. These included facilities at Ashwem, Morjim, Anjuna, Candolim, Calangute, Baga, Panaji KTC Bus Stand, Siridao, Margao KTC, Colva, Benaulim, Sernabatim, Fatrade, Varca, Cavelossim, Mobor, and Palolem.
While these facilities were entrusted to M/s. Akatva Speciality Services Pvt. Ltd. for operations and maintenance in 2021, repeated failures were observed in upkeep and compliance, including non-maintenance, non-construction of new toilets, lack of surveillance, and default in license fee payments. Following due legal process, GTDC terminated the agreement in June 2024. Subsequent arbitration proceedings led to interim relief being conditional on a bank guarantee, which the operator failed to provide within the stipulated period.
Consequently, GTDC formally took possession of all 20 toilet blocks across Goa. Panchanamas were conducted and security was deputed at each site. To avoid inconvenience to tourists and the public, and in line with the Government’s commitment to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and sustainable tourism, the Department of Tourism has now handed over 20 refurbished toilet facilities at prominent tourist sites, including Baga, Colva, Morjim, Siridao, Sernabatim, Varca, Mobor, Cavelossim, and Fatorda, to Sulabh International Social Service Organization (SISSO) for operation and maintenance on a “pay and use” basis and 1 toilet to the Candolim panchayat to refurbish and operate the toilet block. The initial handover period is three months, extendable by another three months.
