Activists allege hotmixing drive ahead of Assembly polls is aimed at winning votes after years of neglect
MAPUSA
As road hotmixing works gather pace in Mapusa just months before the next Assembly elections, criticism has grown against MLA Joshua D’Souza, with local activists accusing him of neglecting the town’s worsening roads for most of his term and rushing through repairs only in the final year before the polls.
The criticism comes a day after D’Souza claimed that the ongoing hotmixing and milling works reflected his “long-term vision” for the development of Mapusa.
However, several residents and activists questioned why key road works were delayed for nearly four-and-a-half years while commuters, traders and residents struggled with pothole-ridden roads and dust pollution.
Addressing a press conference, social activist Sanjay Barde alleged that the timing of the works was politically motivated and aimed at securing votes before the elections.
He pointed out that residents of Angod and thousands of people visiting the busy Mapusa market had suffered greatly because of damaged roads and dust pollution over the years.
Barde further claimed that neighbouring constituencies had seen steady development works throughout the tenure of their MLAs, while Mapusa lagged behind in basic infrastructure. He also criticised what he described as the MLA’s close ties with the market committee, alleging that the concerns of ordinary residents were ignored in favour of a select group of merchants.
Questioning the proposed public-private partnership model for the redevelopment of the Mapusa bus stand, Barde warned that plans to build a mall-like structure at the site could negatively affect traditional market businesses.
Activist Shitesh More also criticised the MLA, accusing him of carrying out “last-minute cosmetic works” after years of public inconvenience.
“People of Mapusa are not fools. They can clearly see that these works are being pushed only because elections are approaching,” More said, adding that residents had suffered poor roads for years while authorities failed to act.
The ongoing road works have now sparked a wider political debate in Mapusa, with opposition voices questioning whether the sudden infrastructure push is driven by genuine development concerns or election compulsions ahead of the Assembly polls.
