With the elections to the CCP scheduled on March 6, Herald begins a review of all 30 CCP wards
Team Herald
PANJIM: The two-time corporator of Ward number 2 of the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) feels people have no grievances and neither is there any further development or an urgent need in his ward.
Nazareth Francisco Cabral represents an area, covering Dona Paula including Raj Bhavan, La Marvel colony and a part of Caranzalem till the petrol pump, and claims the only pending work is giving the roads a facelift, and even this has been taken up on a fast track.
“The patch-up work wherever required and complete makeover of the roads are being undertaken. The uneven and potholed roads were the only complaints,” Carbal, contesting for the third consecutive time from St Cruz MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate panel, said.
However, the narrow internal roads and the mushrooming constructions, particularly commercial establishments are what the residents in the area are complaining about. If this is not it, the vehicular traffic routed through the internal road as a result of the still incomplete Panjim-Dona Paula road has added to the woes.
“There is rampant construction on one side, and since the day when the main road was dug and left abandoned for over two years we have been troubled. The entire traffic was routed through the internal road causing noise pollution and air pollution impacting our health. We have gone through the most difficult time all these years,” rued middle-aged housewife Ana Rita Cardozo.
She is not the only one to complain as other residents too had the same grouse, claiming they do not know whether to accuse CCP or Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) for the shoddy work. “There are simultaneous works being carried out by different agencies. Replacing of the pipeline, cabling work and road repairs, etc have become a part of our lives though the works also cover the adjoining areas,” Sudhir Narvekar said.
Similarly, congestion owing to constructions is what some complained about. According to a retired central government officer construction activities, not just in this ward but across the State, are causing congestion. “There is no greenery left. We are breathing dust and pollution. While on the one hand we understand that with increasing population residential areas are necessary, other construction activities have also mushroomed leaving us with limited scope to live amidst a natural environment,” he said, preferring to remain anonymous.
By and large, the residents are content otherwise claiming they have basic amenities like water and electricity in place.
The upcoming CCP polls will decide whether Cabral continues to represent the ward or there will be another Cabral in his place, as BJP has backed Nelson Caral to contest against him.
