Former deputy chief minister late Francis D’Souza was the undisputed political leader of Mapusa for last two decades and yet the town has remained an eyesore with myriad civic problems and needs a major makeover
ANDREA FERNANDES
MAPUSA: Former deputy chief minister late Francis D’Souza, who was a people’s man, was always available to his constituents and that is what helped him to rule Mapusa for two decades. He was loved by Mhapshekars as he was elected five times, winning the last poll with a thumping margin of 10,040 votes. Now, eyebrows have been raised whether he really contributed to any major development in Mapusa since taking over the helms in 1999?
From congested roads to lack of parking facilities, the prevailing chaotic situation will be a challenge to a first-timer following the death of Francis. The width of the roads running through this constituency has remained unchanged despite the increasing number of vehicles. The bus stand is in total mess. The garbage disposal system is far from satisfactory with the town struggling to cope with the waste produced. There were plans for underground power cabling work to curb constant power cuts. The people of Mapusa also suffer from frequent water crisis. The slum-like areas in Mapusa have increased.
Not denying the fact that during Francis’ tenure, the town has managed to get a new police station and a proper vegetable and fish market.
At the same time it is a known fact that the lack of government funds, step-motherly treatment meted out to the Opposition MLAs and litigations are some of the reasons that the much-needed projects in Mapusa have not seen the light of the day yet.
Francis’ son Joshua D’Souza on Saturday finally managed to get the BJP ticket to contest for the upcoming Mapusa by-poll, which has now left MMC Chairperson, Sudhir Kandolkar and Rupesh Kamat out of the fray for saffron party ticket.
Last year, when Francis D’Souza spoke to Herald about Mapusa, he had said that is was very easy to make promises but what was required was finance. “Despite the crunch in resources, we managed to fulfil quite a few promises. The police station, new municipal building, construction of footpaths, illumination of streetlights and new vegetable and fish market were completed during my tenure,” he had said.
It may be recalled the Joshua in a farewell speech at his father’s funeral vowed to carry on his father’s legacy with pride and grace. “I will continue to serve the people of Mapusa. My father was man of the people unlike others. He was always there for the people of Mapusa. I think my dad’s easy accessibility and constant availability were his greatest strengths,” he had said.
Speaking about his father’s term as MLA, he said his dad started his career as a social worker and then to councillor, chairperson and later became a leader, who was recognised throughout the country. “My father achieved the trust of people, which allowed him to win with huge margins. One of the projects my father worked hard, but could not complete before his passing away, was laying the foundation stone for the proposed Mapusa bus stand. Ravindra Bhavan was another project, which he had been pushing for and worked tirelessly for. These two including a parking structure to decongest the town are my top priorities,” Joshua said.
The North Goa District Congress president Vijay Bhike informed that for the last two decades, Mapusa has not witnessed any development under the leadership of Francis. From 1999 nothing has changed in Mapusa in fact things have only turned worst. “Being the Deputy Chief Minister, Urban Development Minister, Revenue Minister and besides residing in Mapusa, he has not done anything. Garbage woes, parking facilities and roads are in bad shape in the constituency. Projects that were sanctioned during the Congress term have been completed such as the municipal building and vegetable and fish market. Even the JICA project is the Congress initiative,” Bhike said.
Shekhar Naik, a Mapusa local, informs that nothing much has changed since 1999 besides few cosmetic changes. “Incomplete bus stand, Mapusa market chaos, faulty electrical wiring, garbage menace, haphazard parking and pathetic roads are a regular feature. Everything has been done for the migrants but nothing for the people of Mapusa. He gave them voting cards and converted them into his vote bank,” claimed Naik.
Social activist and Mapusa resident John Lobo said there are various issues that need to be solved in Mapusa. There is a need to allot parking space for vehicles, more toilets and dustbins. The space allotted to the local vendors in the market area needs to be increased and cleanliness in the market should be taken care of.
“Francis was a good man and a helpful person, but had no vision for the development of Mapusa. He failed to keep Mapusa market as the best market in Goa as it was during the Portuguese rule as far as organisation, management and development were concerned. He was busy interested clinging on to his career as a politician. He failed to solve the waterlogging and flooding problems in the market during the monsoon,” claimed Lobo.
