The entire stretch of the bandh at Colmorod (Colobandh), in the heart of Navelim has become a migrant colony that lacks basic amenities.
The migrant people live on the bandh in makeshift shanties on the way to Konkan Railway Station.
The notorious bandh is in close vicinity to the Margao Konkan Railway Station, Rosary Church, educational hub – schools and colleges, Dr Francisco Luis Gomes District Library, Bank of Baroda and the new multipurpose complex that is nearing completion. In fact, the area is bubbling with activity.
The name of Colmorod is sullied and the beautiful bandh is no longer visible and is infested by hutments, with scores of migrant residents who occupy it having their own way of life.
The residents are often seen defecating in the open, along the road leading from Navelim to Konkan railway station road and in the adjacent fields. Not a single toilet has been built for them, as a result children, men and women are compelled to defecate in the open.
Those worst affected are students passing by the road to go to schools and colleges and commuters who go to the railway station to catch the train as well as several people who go for morning and evening walks along this stretch.
Speeding vehicles make the problem much worse for pedestrians during the rains. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started a very good initiative called the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, but there is need to create more awareness among the masses.
The authorities should take cognizance of the situation and take necessary action.
Unfortunately, Goa has not yet become open defecation free. Over 4.98 crore toilets have been constructed since 2014 in India. What is Goa’s share?
Are the taxes collected through Swachh Bharat being utilized properly?
