The residents of Ansolem, Bhirondem, have accused successive State governments of failing to provide them basic amenities, including tar roads and streetlights.
Ansolem village, despite being very close to Nanus village, which falls in the Valpoi municipal area, still lacks basic facilities, including proper roads, stormdrains, healthcare and streetlights. Villagers said that politicians only remembered them at the time of Assembly and panchayat elections.
“Politicians visit us during electioneering and assure to provide basic facilities and upliftment. But once the elections are over, they don’t even come to the area,” said Kasturi Desai, a local, who blamed the local panch for not resolving the long-pending demand of providing the residents a proper road.
Her husband Shivaji Desai said that half of some roads had been tarred recently, while the remaining portion had been left untouched, which was beyond their understanding. The residents accused the local leaders of using them as a vote bank.
Expressing dismay with the government offices, particularly the PWD, residents said that no authority was bothered about their difficulties.
“We have been residing in this area for around 12 years. However, no proper road has been allotted to us. The depth of the potholes itself speaks about the apathy of road users,” said Vasta, a local, who added that despite his repeated pleas to the PWD, there was no move from the department.
“During the rainy season, the condition becomes worse. Our children, while going to school, have to suffer a lot. Two-wheeler riders have to face difficulty while riding on this rough terrain as they need to dodge several potholes that are flooded during the monsoon,” said Chandbi Kwaja, who also demanded an inquiry into how some roads were only half-tarred.
The villagers also demanded proper streetlights and a storm drain as sewage is being released in the open and is accumulating at one place, raising the risk of vector borne diseases.
