SURAJ NANDREKAR
Dabolim is one of the youngest constituencies of Goa formed just before 2012 Assembly polls and as such it has problems galore.
Dabolim is also the constituency which houses the only international airport of the state.
The biggest problem of this constituency is the regularisation of illegal structures. Illegal construction is a major problem in New Vaddem, Merces-Vaddem, Chicalim, Dabolim, Alto-Bogmalo and Chicolna.
The MLA, who was part of the committee which formed the Regularisation of unauthorised Structures Act, has promised the people that their structures would be regularised.
As the only airport falls in this constituency, the problem of parking is also an issue. Though the airport has multi-level parking, it has still not been given security clearance by the central agencies.
Being a hilly area the sewerage connectivity is a big problem in this constituency.
From the tourist point of view, Dabolim constituency has just one beach at Bogmalo. However, this beach is reportedly neglected by the Tourism Department.
It is the first beach close to the airport but does not have basic infrastructure like toilets, changing rooms, etc. Locals say the proposal of toilets, shower rooms is stuck due to issues between the MLA and the panchayat.
Another critical issue of the constituency is garbage. Though four wards of Mormugao municipality fall in this constituency, the municipality has refused to help viz-a-viz the garbage.
Even the panchayats are unable to dispose their garbage as the strict norms of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) does not allow them to do so.
Amongst other issues is the road problem. While the main roads have been spruced up and maintained well, internal roads still need attention.
Dabolim formed part of Vasco and Cortalim constituency prior to 2012.
Mauvin shifted his base here in 2012 as he saw chunk of his voters were moved here after delimitation.
In last the five years the projects of joggers’ park and renovation of Chicalim hospital were taken up by the government. The work on beautification of Vaddem Lake has also begun now.
As expected the main fight for 2017 elections is between the BJP candidate Mauvin Godinho and MGP’s Premanand Nanoskar.
Though Congress’ Francisco Nunes and AAP’s Vasant Naik cannot be taken lightly.
Besides this three, the other candidates in fray are NCP’s Kritesh Gaonkar, Niz Goenkar’s Suresh Bharve and three independents – Tara Kerkar, Kenneth Silveira and Pritam Teluskar.
