Camrabhat slums, a vote bank for politicians?

Often we have seen the government turning a blind eye to illegal constructions across the state and later running from pillar to post once the courts send notices based on complaints or newspaper reports.

Only a few kilometers from the capital city lies a place called Camrabhat, which is now notorious for unwanted reasons. Recent times have seen the increase in the slum dwellers and the authorities have turned a blind eye, fearing they would be targeted by politicians.

Yes, Camrabhat has been the vote bank of St Cruz MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monseratte and it was because of him that his wife Jennifer was elected from the Taleigao seat.

Since Babush has now decided to re-contest from Taleigao, residents say he has once again decided to please the people here by illegally permitting them to construct illegal shanties wherever any open space is available.

The situation right now is such that the shanties have now come up even on the underground power cables as well as the water pipeline.

Residents say there are at least 20 to 25 new structures that have come up in the last two or three months.

They say that the politicians here for decades during every elections, promise that they would be given permanent housing but till date not even a stone has been moved.

Speaking to Herald, on condition of anonymity, a local resident says that last year’s flooding was a result of these mushrooming illegal structures.

“Last year (2014) around this time, Camrabhat saw one of the worst floods that was due to these illegal structures as there is no way for water to pass,” the resident said adding, “The situation is such that the people staying in these shanties leave their drainage in the open, which can lead to an epidemic.” Also, he added, there are no proper toilet facilities in the area with only four toilets catering to around 3500 residents.

“As a result you can see children defecating openly on public roads, garbage strewn all over the place and drainage water flowing from just about everywhere,” residents complain.

Another resident pointed out that now recently new structures have come up right above the underground electricity cables and the water pipelines.

“If there are any problems with the electrical cables what action will the government take? Will they run to get permission at that time to demolish these structures for repairing power and water lines?” questions a resident.

Not long ago, the government had faced a stiff opposition in demolishing the illegal slums at Baina, Vasco and this could be another such case, he added.

Residents also allege some structures have also come above the septic tank of the old municipal building.

Herald’s visit to these places revealed that the residents have a valid point and indeed illegalities are underway.

While Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monseratte was not available for comment, the BJP mandal president, Dattaprasad Naik squarely blamed the MLA, panchayat and the Zilla panchayat members for turning a blind eye.

“The panchayat, the MLA as well as the zilla panchayat members are promoting the increase of these kinds of structures,” he alleged. Dattaprasad said that if such structures keep coming up, it will create hardships for people who reside in the area. “If one person goes to court, all existing residents will be in a problem,” he said.

He said that his government is making a sincere effort to rehabilitate the residents here but the sitting legislator has been creating hindrances.