For decades, 6 families in Sonaulim still without electricity!

Santosh Naik

PONDA: Electricity is one such important blessing science has given to mankind, which has become a part of modern life as one cannot think of a world without it. But the six families residing in forest area of Sonaulim-Collem have been without electricity for several decades. They claim that all they received is only false promises during elections.

“We have suffered a lot during the past several decades without electricity, but we are pained to see the dark future of our youth in absence of electricity,” the locals complained.

Demanding that the government provide them with pathway/access to Collem bazaar, they complained of having no pathway to reach Collem River as the rough road in the forest remains closed during monsoon. 

Around 35 locals including elderly women of the six families residing in remote forest area of Sonaulim informed media persons that several generations have suffered in absence of power supply. All these years after Liberation, they have been demanding electricity and pathway but their demands have fallen on deaf ears. 

The villagers including elder women said, “We have been forced to undergo hardship for the past several decades without electricity. At least the government should now listen to our grievances and for the sake of the new generation should provide us with electricity.”

The villagers said since they reside in forest area they have to cross Dudhsagar River via a wooden bridge. It is risky to cross the river during monsoon. They complained of having no pathway to reach to Collem River as rough road in the forest is closed during monsoon and demanded that the government provide them with a pathway to reach Collem Bazaar.

They further complained that in absence of road they have to depend on railway. The Villagers said “Our future is almost in the dark and now we urge the government to listen to our grievances.” 

A woman said, “We see that the rest of children having electricity in their homes in other areas become doctors, engineers, but our children are forced to study using kerosene lamps.”

An elderly woman said, “My husband was a freedom fighter and made lot of effort but despite this our demand has remained unfulfilled. Since 2006 we have been requesting the Electricity Department at Collem to provide us with electricity but to no avail.”