PANAJI
As the by-election campaign intensifies ahead of April 9, residents of Ponda say their everyday struggles are being ignored – political parties and their candidates are focussing on ideology and broader State-level debates, while voters here point to potholes, traffic chaos, and erratic water supply as the real issues.
“Every monsoon the roads collapse. Repairs are patchwork. Accidents happen, but no one is accountable,” said a shopkeeper Rajesh Naik, who operates near the bus stand.
Indeed, infrastructure remains a sore point. Ponda, a busy transit hub, sees thousands of vehicles each day. Congestion near the market and bus stand has become routine and parking is scarce.
Despite repeated promises, no long-term traffic plan has been implemented.
“Try driving through our town at peak hours,” said Anita Dessai, a daily commuter.
“It takes 20 minutes to cross a kilometre. Politicians come during elections, but after that, there is silence,” Dessai told The Goan.
Several other residents said the lack of proper pedestrian facilities adds to the danger – footpaths are broken or missing, compelling schoolchildren and senior citizens to walk on busy roads.
“Crossing the street is a daily risk. We want safe roads, not speeches about State and national political affairs and issues,” said Jayashree, a senior citizen who retired from service as a teacher a few years ago.
Water supply is another pressing concern. Several localities report irregular distribution, forcing families to depend on tankers.
“We get water once in two days. Tankers charge high rates. It’s a daily struggle,” said a matriarch of a Muslim household from Kadpabandh.
The tanker economy has become a lifeline but also a burden as residents complain of exploitation.
“If you don’t pay, you don’t get water. It feels like we are at the mercy of private suppliers,” said another resident from Kadpabandh.
Drainage adds to the woes. Poor stormwater systems cause flooding during monsoons and residents recall last year’s scenes of knee-deep water in residential colonies.
Sanitation and waste management remain patchy even as the track record of the Ponda Municipal Council in garbage collection has been under par.
The frustration over poor civic amenities is palpable among the ordinary citizen of the town. Many residents say they feel neglected as parties focus on larger political battles.
As April 9 approaches, the mood in Ponda is visible as voters demand attention to basic civic needs. Whether candidates will address these concerns in the days leading to the polls remains to be seen. For now, the potholes, the town’s dependence on privately supplied water tankers, and poor civic infrastructure tell their own story.
