Residents of a ward in Bicholim are totally handicapped for want of road connectivity to their homes with authorities taking no concrete steps to ease their problems
At a time when the State government is keen to promote internet connectivity in the State, residents of a ward in Bicholim taluka are struggling to get road connectivity to their homes.
Dhumashe, a small village in Bicholim taluka, has not seen much development for a number of years and villagers need to travel either to Assonora or Bicholim for much of their requirements.
The situation is particularly difficult for about 30 residents who live in Catholic Wado, as they don’t have a proper road leading to their houses.
The area is virtually detached from the rest of the village and people from catholic community live in the ward. The only noteworthy structure in the ward is a small chapel built some years ago.
“The panchayat and the government have done very little for this area. Some 40 years ago, they had constructed steps leading to the river so that we should not slip and fall,” said Markas Miranda.
The families live very close to the Chapora River on the border of Bicholim taluka and one can clearly see a coconut plantation in Pernem taluka across the river.
“There is no road here except for a small pathway and that too, from someone else’s property. Since the last 10 years, politicians have been assuring us of a road from our property, but nothing has happened,” complained Miranda.
Added Daniel Miranda, “Just before elections, some politicians had made a road with the help of a JCB and had told us that it would be completed after the elections, but even after one year, nothing has happened. Now, the road has been covered with trees, bushes and weeds.”
In the absence of a proper road, there have been instances when people have died due to late medical attention. Last year, a resident, Carol D’Cunha, died by the time the family members could take Carol to an ambulance, which was waiting for the patient some 2 kms from their house.
“When a person dies, it becomes difficult to carry the body for the funeral rites as we cannot walk properly along this narrow road. There is no other option but to lift the body on one’s shoulders and take it to the road. Even from the road, the church at Halarna-Pernem is about 17 kms away from our ward,” said Daniel.
The elders are not the only ones encountering various problems in the absence of a road.
“During the rainy season, the roads are covered with water and it is dangerous to walk. Since we are forced to walk right up to the main road, we regularly get late to school,” said a schoolgirl, Mishal Miranda.
Besides a lack of road connectivity, the 30 residents face other problems as well. “Since our ward lies in a remote area, the electricity department personnel do not pay heed to our pleas in case of any electricity problem,” said Daniel.
“This problem occurs especially during the rainy season, when some trees fall and wires get snapped. Due to the indifferent attitude of the linesmen, we remain without electricity for several days,” added Daniel.
While Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal has already raised the issue in the assembly, the aggrieved families from Catholic Wado desperately hope that the government will look into their plight.
