MAPUSA: Mapusa constituency, which like many others in the State, is facing water scarcity problem. With the mushrooming of real estate projects and influx of migrants from neighbouring States, water scarcity is replaced by water tankers or private wells.
Antonio Lobo, a lawyer with an experience of over four decades, feels that development in the name of building unlimited multi storied apartments it now taking its toll. “As it is happening everywhere in Goa, the so-called development in the name of building unlimited multi storied apartments it now taking its toll. There is no coordination between how much water is available and the ever growing demand. It is sad that we have heavy rains in Goa but there is no mechanism to harvest that rain water,” said Lobo.
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He further added that Mapusa also lacks space for entertainment like Ravindra Bhawan, etc. “In fact, we had drawn out a plan for this and had suggested the places too, to the municipality about three years ago. That was a plan which could have been used to develop a place where fair and exhibitions could have been held alongside a bus stand. Mapusa is also lacking a promenade and park for all. It is most important for the health of the people. It could have been built by the side of Mapusa river. So far nothing has come up,” said Lobo.
The constituency is surrounded by fallow agricultural lands and hills. “There is a need for comprehensive public policy to encourage and provide all assistance support to farmers of Mapusa to cultivate this land. Traditionally Mapusa was an agriculture belt but with time it is withering away. It is absolutely essential to revive agriculture in this part of the State,” said a voter from Mapusa, Gautam N Pednekar, who is a practising advocate in the High Court of Bombay at Goa for last 10 years.
He further added that there is a need for maintenance of natural springs and rivers in Mapusa. “Underground cabling of electricity supply is necessity of life and its safety. We have suggested for a comprehensive municipal market policy with one shop limited to one Goan Mapsekar domicile family. We have also requested that construction licences to multi residential real estate project should not be issued unless availability of access drinking water, electricity and other infrastructure is reported,” said Pednekar.
Pravin Chandrakant Asolkar, who is a President of Mapusa Youth, says that Mapusa has issues with road and water. “The water supply is not regular. Similarly the road built does not last long. Tar river in Mapusa which is now polluted with fish waste and sewage needs to be protected and cleaned. Also, we want that the vendors operating in Mapusa market must be registered for the safety of all,” he said.
