WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
GARY AZAVEDO
WARD 23
Triangular Fight in ST Reserved Ward
Ward 23 being reserved for the scheduled tribes (ST) community, the sitting councillor Sugandha Bandekar of Margao Municipal Council (MMC) lost her chance to re-contest the forthcoming polls from this ward. The three candidates in the fray from this ward are Viviana Cardozo of the BJP-backed Vibrant Margao panel, Nimesa Faleiro of the Margao Civic Alliance comprising of the Goa Forward Party’s ‘Fatorda Forward’ and Congress’ ‘Model Margao’ panel and Nadia Vaz of the ‘Citizens’ Choice Panel’.
ISSUES – Garbage, Drainages, Flooding
The major issue is getting of flooded every year to the extent that cars cannot move on that road especially at the entrance near the roundabout. There is no timely cleaning of the drains. A cross drain was supposed to be constructed by the municipality but they are not interested in doing it. This ward which falls in the Curtorim Assembly constituency is neglected as hardly any works are carried out in our ward
DEMANDS – OPEN SPACES, FOOTPATH, STREET LIGHTS
Pending works include the installation of street light poles, providing open spaces and a pedestrian pathway or footpath, etc.
Ward 24
Multi-cornered contest in THIS Ward
The two term MMC councillor Raju ‘Hadlee’ Shirodkar is re-contesting from this ward seeking a hat trick as an independent candidate and is battling nine other candidates in this MMC ward 24.
Though a BJP party member, Hadlee is contesting the forthcoming MMC polls as an ‘independent’ candidate. The BJP-backed ‘Vibrant Margao’ candidate Sunita Falarkar faces many rebel candidates, including a former journalist Pratik Parab. The ‘Citizens’ Choice Panel’ has fielded Pritam Moratgikar.
ISSUES – ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS, ROADS, DRAINS, WATER
Wards 24 and 25 are covered by Housing Board and the main issues of these two wards are lack of proper roads, proper drainage and proper water supply. Further, people are trying to expand their houses and they do not get proper area. Previous MMC councillors allowed them to build their houses there how they want without any proper regulations so now if one person is doing something for his benefit, the other person objects to it.
DEMANDS – OPEN PLAYGROUND, GOVERNMENT BALWADI
There is also a local Balwadi existing since past many years which is not being maintained. Besides, regular tree pruning exercise and cleanliness in these wards need to be undertaken. The local residents further demand the development of the open ground in Housing Board. Since the past two decades, the residents are struggling to attract the attention of the authorities towards the improvement of this ground for public use as a joggers’ park, etc. but nobody has paid heed to their demands.
Ward 25
Quadrangular battle in women reserved ward
As ward 25 being is a reserved ward for women, the sitting MMC councillor Kutbuddin Bhagewadi is unable to re-contest from this ward and has already declared his support to the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Congress’ backed ‘Margao Civic Alliance candidate Ashma Bi (Sayyad). Others are BJP-backed ‘Vibrant Margao’ panel candidate Babita Sadanand Naik, The ‘Citizens’ Choice Panel’ is supporting Kulsum Bi Sheikh alias Ruby in ward 25.
ISSUES – ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS, ROADS, WATER , DRAINS, SEWERAGE
Ward 25 people suffer illegalities like the LIG (low income group) houses being extended to the public roads, big buildings being constructed along with shops.
None of the councillors and MLAs bothers to inquire about the issues of this ward. It has been over 15 years but there are no proper roads in this ward. There is irregular water supply and dirty drains.
DEMANDS – PLAYGROUND, SOLAR LIGHTING
No playground and the nearby private school, Bhatikar Model English High School doesn’t allow children from the Housing Board colony to use its field. Solar lighting too tops the demands.
