The nine-member Borim panchayat has been hit by instability as the local body had witnessed six sarpanchas within five years.

The locals claim that the instability is the main reason that has hampered basic infrastructure works in the village.  

The current Sarpanch Constancio Luis was elected a week ago, the sixth person to occupy the chair since 2012.

It is learnt there was an internal agreement among the panchas that they would occupy the chair in rotation as Nutan Naik held the post for the first two years followed by Sanjay Gavde for another two years. Later, Jyothi Naik was elected to the post but was voted out in a no confidence motion due to which Constancio Luis was elected sarpanch. His tenure lasted just three days as he too was voted out of office and it is learnt that a local politician was behind the move. 

Later, Deepali Naik  was elected as sarpanch in January this year but she too was ousted in a no confidence motion and on March 16 Constancio Luis was once again elected unopposed as sarpanch.  

On being elected as sarpanch, Luis assured the villagers that he would try to solve all the problems.

Besides government grants, the panchayat gets income from two petrol pumps,  three mobile towers, small workshops and house tax. 

The village has been facing major problems since past 15 years. Traffic congestion has been the main problem in the village. 

The interstate vehicles plying along the Belgaum-Margao route have to travel via the village which has the narrow old road resulting in traffic congestion making it difficult for the villagers to cross the road, especially, when there is a funeral procession.

The authorities claim that the Borim Bridge is capable of handling the heavy traffic, but locals claim that the bridge has weakened due to the frequent repair works. Further, the diversion of heavy traffic from Cortalim Bridge has added to the problem of traffic congestion. The locals have stressed the need for a new bridge and an alternative bypass to ease traffic congestion. 

Locals are hoping to get a full-fledged crematorium in the village as they are facing great hardship. Further, locals have stressed the need for an alternative bypass and new Borim Bridge. 

Sarpanch Constancio said that he would accord top priority to all the problems and would also send memorandum to authorities.

He further informed that the part of old Bailey Bridge which lies in a precarious condition collapsed. The bridge remains in Zuari River need to be urgently cleared for smooth navigation of barges and also for movement of fishermen. 

 “I have also taken up the issue with the authorities but they have failed to take note of it. But again I will approach the PWD to solve the problems, he added.

Luis further informed that he would accord top priority to the development works and added that the Borim youth face a lot of hardship as in the absence of a full-fledged ground they are not able to display their talent. 

“Hence, I would request the authorities to provide a full-fledged ground with a gymkhana,” he said. 

He further informed that he took up the issue of installing LED lamps in the village with the electricity department and the installation of the same has commenced. 

He further informed that he provided high mast lamp at the Borim Circle and Bythokhol Junction.