PANJIM, MARCH 1
Ward 15 falls in the middle of the city and appears alienated but no so with respect to problems and issues that afflict other wards of the city. Nevertheless, the residents of this ward located which is in St Inez area with voter population of 853, hardly find anything wrong with their ward.
When enquired with two–three residents about the problems in the ward and what kind of development they expect from their elected member, very surprisingly, they had nothing to say.
In fact, two-three residents with whom we enquired said there are no problems in the ward as they set idly in the evening.
Singbal who has been staying in this ward for number of years when asked had to really think hard to remember if anything was wrong with her ward.
Interestingly, the candidates contesting from this ward appeared to be more concerned than the voters. Shekar Degvekar, a BJP support candidate who is contesting from this ward, is apparently, very clear as to what is lacking.
“This ward needs retaining walls as the area is located on the slope. Also, many of the old houses do not have sewage facilities,” says Degvekar.
Mangaldas Naik, a candidate from Babush panel, also found that the ward has to have more retaining walls as also sewage problem has to be dealt with effectively. In fact, absence of adequate sanitary is a major problem here like many other wards of the city.
According to Degvekar rain drains of the area needs to be improved and repaired which he said have not been touched for ages.
While some residents of the area are content to believe that every thing is perfect in their ward – the candidates contesting from here believe otherwise and rightly so.
