Team Herald

BICHOLIM: The ongoing lockdown has left people from rural areas of Bicholim taluka worried, who feel that it will severely affect their pre-monsoon work of houses’ repair and others.

The people from villages have raised concerns over the non-availability of the masons, carpenters, wood and other material.

“This year people from villages especially those having houses with tiled roofs will be affected. They are not getting the carpenters for the roof tiling work as all the operations have been stopped. Even if they get someone there is no guarantee that the required material for repairs will be available,” Kashinath Mayekar, a resident of Mayem said.

“Almost all shops are closed and so from where will we get the material? The lockdown is ending on May 3 and the monsoon sets in by May-end in Goa. If this is the situation then how will few carpenters satisfy the needs of all,” Mayekar asked.

The problem is not centred around the households but for the government buildings as well, especially the school buildings. “They should have asked the carpenters to carry out the repair work as now many school buildings need such repairs,” a local informed.

Rama Kerkar, a carpenter from Mayem informed that they are not dependent on outside labourers but avail the services of the locals. However, they are finding it difficult to get them.

“Due to the COVID-19 situation, the labourers are not ready to come out of their houses. Secondly, some prefer to go to their cashew plantations rather than accompany us for work,” Kerkar added.

He said, “This year many people will face difficulties during the monsoon if their houses are not repaired on time.”