People of Velim want sustainable development

Cuncolim: Velim is one of the important constituencies in Salcete, which has beautiful villages like Assolna, Dhramapur and is known as fishing hub of South Goa, having largest fishing jetty Cutbona. Today, Velim constituency is crying for better and sustainable development.

Velim constituency came into existence in year 1989 after the delimitation. Before that it was part of Cuncolim Constituency.

Currently there are 31,346 registered voters out of which 16,526 are female voters and 14,827 male voters.

Voters are spread over eight village panchayat areas right from Velim, Ambelim, Assolna, Chinchinim, Sarzora, Dhramapur, St Jose de Ariel and part of Rumdamol Dicarpali who will decide the future MLA of Velim Constituency.

This constituency is facing various problems and issues which need to be addressed. People want sustainable development without damaging the natural heritage of the constituency. 

Polluted river Sal is the main issue which the constituents want to their elected representative to address. River Sal is the lifeline of Chinchinim, Assolna and Velim villages, which is getting destroyed due to untreated sewage. 

Next key issue is lack of heath facilities. This constituency needs Primary Health Centre with at least 20 beds and 24×7 medical facilities. People of this constituency have to depend on Balli PHC or Margao UHC.

For law and order, the constituency depends on Cuncolim Police station. Assolna has outpost but this constituency needs a police station. Besides this, there are issues of migrant labourers, lack of sanitation facility at the jetty. There is urgent need to tackle with various vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. The village also needs its own fish and vegetable market. 

Due to lack of market, fish and vegetable vendors are seen sitting in a small place and also on the roadside. For last several years this demand has remained remain unmet. 

It has been more than decade since Chinchinim villagers are waiting to see the much awaited multipurpose complex. But this has also failed to materialise. 

Issues like proper sports grounds, scrapyard, upgradation of industrial estate and setting up food processing units are still pending and need to be addressed.  

Velim needs a legislator who will build good roads here, build culverts and also passionately debate in the Assembly on various public interest issues.