BICHOLIM, JAN 31
Residents of Velguem-Bicholim will resort to an indefinite bandh from Tuesday, to protest against the government’s failure to honour its promises to the villagers.
The residents have been protesting against the poor condition of roads in the village.
It may be recalled that on January 14, the foundation stone for the road leading towards Gaowada-Velguem in Pale constituency was conducted amid much fanfare in the presence of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Speaker Pratapsing Rane, Pale MLA Pratap Gawas and other government officials.
The government had promised that the construction and hot mixing of the main road to Gaowada-Velguem would be taken up immediately.
During the Gram Sabha on Sunday, the issue of the road came up for discussion and residents warned that if the contractor failed to start the road work within two days, they would block the entire traffic at Velguem.
Most of the 100-odd villagers present at the Gram Sabha blamed the contractor and MLA Pratap Gawas for the failure to undertake the road work.
The residents had decided that the chief minister and other authorities would be informed of the Bandh. Accordingly, a letter submitted by Velguem Sarpanch Geeta Haldankar and signed by the panch members along with about 100 villgers has been forwarded to the chief minister, MLA, PWD chief engineer and other government officials in Bicholim.
“There are only four months left for the monsoons and if the work is not taken up immediately, then it would be delayed. Even if the work is taken up later, the quality of the work could be sub-standard,” stated the letter.
Meanwhile, a police force will be stationed in the area on Tuesday to maintain law and order.
