Soiru Velip | NT Senior Reporter
PANAJI: With the state assembly elections round the corner, issues like employment to youth, beautification of Carambolim lake, master plan for the development of world-famous Old Goa, protection of islands and land from land sharks, regular water supply and lack of sanitation are in focus in Cumbharjua constituency.
A constituency with cluster of islands and UNESCO world heritage site like Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa has many issues, which need urgent attention. Cumbharjua constituency, consisting of seven panchayats of Old Goa, Corlim, Cumbharjua, Carambolim, St Estevem, Divar and Sao Mathias–Malara, has 24,979 voters out of which 12,870 are female and 12,109 are male voters.
Pandurang Madkaikar of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Xavier Fialho of Congress and Prakash Naik of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) besides Vishal Volvoikar, an Independent and Prasad Harmalkar, an Independent backed by Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) are the candidates who are in fray, who have started their campaigning and are mostly focusing on door-to-door visits.
Some residents from the constituency complained that issues including regular water supply in many parts and jobs to youth besides many others have not been resolved.
In absence of proper market complex, the vendors are forced to sit along roadsides at Old Goa. “We have been demanding market complex at Old Goa since many years, but so far there is no sign. We have been facing a lot of problems while doing our business sitting along the roadside,” informed vendors, hoping that at least in next five years the market complex would see the light of the day.
While interacting with this reporter, many villagers expressed fear over the rampant constructions especially in Old Goa and Corlim area besides increasing instances of grabbing of land by builders. Another issue that locals are worried about is high influx of migrants in last many years in the constituency and unresolved problem of garbage menace.
The residents of islands – namely Divar, St Estevam, Cumbharjua and Vaxim – want preservation and protection of the identity of their villages. An old woman said that many land sharks and builders have been eyeing island properties.
People are also upset over the lack of development of historic Old Goa village. “I have been hearing that the government is coming up with master plan for the development of Old Goa since last 10 to 15 years. But so far nothing has been done,” a shopkeeper noted.
According to locals, the only development that took place in Old Goa was during the decennial exposition of relics of St Francis Xavier by the government. People are also demanding proper police station besides fire station at Old Goa.
The unemployment problem is also becoming serious issue in the constituency as there has been hardly any attempt to resolve it. Authorities and elected representatives also have failed to promote agriculture. With lack of projects like Ravindra Bhavan and Rajiv Kala Mandir, the local artists are deprived and forced to perform either in Panaji or Ponda. Art loving audiences have no option but to go to Kala Academy or elsewhere to see dramas or tiatras.
Beautification of famous Carambolim lake has been neglected, which need urgent attention. Presently the lake is polluted with sewage discharge and garbage. “Carambolim lake has the potential to attract tourists if developed. But so far other than announcements, nothing has happened in this regard,” a local youth said.
Outgoing MLA and BJP candidate Madkaikar said that there is water supply problem at some places, but unemployment is a serious issue. “As far as master plan for Old Goa and beautification of Carambolim lake, which is my dream project is concerned, the state government has already constituted committees in order to finalise the plan,” he said.
Congress candidate Xavier Fialho said that the issues like protection of islands, lack of major development projects, master plan for Old Goa and employment for youth are very important and he will take up the same if elected.
“Providing basic amenities in all seven panchayats, construction of bandhs to protect islands and creation of employment opportunities would be my priority,” Harmalkar, MGP-backed Independent candidate said.
Vishal Volvoikar, another Independent candidate blamed incumbent MLA for not taking up development works in the constituency and also hoped that the negative image of Madkaikar and delay by Congress to nominate its candidate will help him.
According to AAP candidate Prakash Naik, people are against the concretisation of the constituency with huge building projects. He further said that the former MLAs have neglected local artists and there is a need to build projects for their benefit.