PANJIM: Ward numbers 20 and 27 adjacent to each other in Mala and Neugi Nagar have similar issues of garbage and flooding during the monsoon. Though ward 27 is represented by Mayor Shubham Chodankar, who has been in the seat for the past year he has not been able to stop the garbage menace and stink emanating from Patto affecting the residents of Mala.
People of Mala and Neugi Nagar have no complaints against the ward representatives – both Chodankars – Krishna and Milind – but they expect much more in the next term. People are happy with the development as both representatives were in the ruling group for about half the term. Monserrate’s panel held the reins for one half and the BJP for the other.
Flooding in Mala area is an annual event in the monsoon. Every year houses in the low-lying areas face this problem with water entering their residences.
“The main problem is yet to be sorted. The protection wall has been constructed from one side but the water which comes inside the area has to be stopped by putting up strong retaining walls,” Rajendra Talaulikar, Mala resident, said.
Half of the ward number 27 is badly affected by flooding and for years the issue has not been resolved, though construction in this area has been permitted by all the authorities.
A resident of the area said that the constructions at Neugi Nagar have led to the flooding in the area and this is the reason why water logging occurs in Mala. “There should be a stop, at least for now, on the new construction or else there won’t be any land seen in case of heavy flooding,” he said.
There is also the problem of garbage, which is similar to every other ward. Garbage collection is not proper and heaps of waste can be seen on all the roads. Residents face the smell of stinking garbage at Patto. “We have been having this stink for years now. Once there was a solid waste management plant which was a complete disaster but now the same place has been utilized for dumping garbage,” said Girish Chopdekar, a resident.
