The public toilet at Zero Point on Kuakata Beach in Patuakhali has now become a nuisance for tourists. A crack has developed in the toilet tank and dirty water is getting mixed with the tidal water. There are allegations that the waste from this tank is dumped on the beach. The stench is spreading, polluting the environment.
According to locals, this public toilet was built about 10 years ago, half a kilometre away from the water level of the beach. At that time tidal water wouldn’t reach there.
However, due to the continuous erosion of the sea, strong tidal waves hit the public toilets now. Often, especially during disasters, human waste gets mixed in the sea water through the gap in the lid of the toilet tank. Incoming tourists are suffering from this repulsive situation.
Debashish Mukherjee, a tourist from Barishal, said, “One has to get off at Kuakata beach through Zero Point and from there, go to the hotel again. But we are bothered by the horrid stench emanating from the toilet. It should be closed.”
Another tourist Nadeem Hossain said the matter should be taken seriously by the authorities.
Currently there is a tourism park on the east side of Zero Point where there is toilet and bathing facility. Therefore, tourists think that the public toilet at Zero Point should be closed. Kuakata municipality has been operating this public toilet through a lessee.
Anwar Hawlader, mayor of Kuakata municipality, said, “A public toilet has been constructed east of Zero Point for the convenience of tourists. There are plans to build another public toilet on the west side. After that, the public toilet at Zero Point will be closed.”
Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Kamal Hossain, also chairman of Kuakata Beach Management Committee, said necessary steps would be taken in this regard.
