Macazana villagers have bundle of problems to narrate. The village panchayat, which is geographically very far from Cuncolim falls in Cuncolim Constituency. Villagers feel they have been neglected by the present and past legislators and the lack of development is still a major concern.
The locals have questioned what development has taken place in the past 15 years and lamented that essential infrastructure has not been provided to this village.
The biggest problem, which villagers are facing, is the erratic power supply and constant power cuts. Villagers have lost their patience and have now threatened to come on the streets if the Electricity Departments fail to address their woes.
Several memorandums, complaints and requests have been sent to the department authorities, panchayat and also to Minister Milind Naik and Local MLA Rajan naik but all have fallen on deaf ears.
“Nothing has changed for the past one year. People are now demanding free power supply due to the constant fluctuations. No one is interested to look into our problems. Villagers have been running from pillar to post to resolve the problem but nobody seems to be listening,” said Antonio Fernandes.
“There are various reasons for frequent power failure. Firstly the electric poles which are covered with bushes, creepers and plants require urgent cleaning. Some poles are corroded need to be replaced. Electric lines at Macazana are very weak since there are fewer transformers as compared to the load they bear. We are in need of extra transformers. The Electricity Department only gives promises but nothing comes out concrete,” said Savio Mascarenhas.
Locals said there is an urgent need to replace the old outdoor power lines and have also demanded an office in the village where they can go with their grievances.
Beside the erratic power supply the other problem which the villagers are facing is a railway over bridge. From last several years villagers are demanding a railway over bridge at Chandor. Students, teachers, government servants and others working in private firms suffer due to the absence of the railway over bridge. “This is a promise made by every government and during every election but the situation still remains the same,” added Rosy Fernandes.
