28 Apr 2023  |   06:12am IST

Fed up with uneven and unsafe roads, Maina-Curtorim villagers hold protest to draw local MLA’s attention

The protestors claimed that they have not had motorable roads in the area for the past 15 years; called on the PWD and local leaders to hot mix the mud roads before the rains begin

Team Herald

MARGAO: Hundreds of Maina-Curtorim residents took to the streets on 

Thursday to protest the lack of proper roads in the area for the past 15 years. 

The local MLA, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, was accused of giving only empty promises, with locals demanding action before the monsoon hits.

Residents from five wards in Maina-Curtorim have been enduring poor road conditions for years, causing them significant hardship. Speaking to reporters, local resident Narayan Patil lamented that road-users are being inconvenienced due to the uneven mud roads in these five wards of Maina-Curtorim. Not only do they make for a bumpy, 

uncomfortable ride, but also speed up wear and tear 

of commuters’ vehicles 

and tyres. The situation 

gets worse during the monsoon, which exacerbates the issue, he said.

Mahadev Naik, a senior citizen of Maina-Curtorim, said, “We approached the local MLA on several occasions but received only assurances and no work”.

Local BJP leaders were quick to criticise Lourenco for the lack of progress, despite him being a member of their government in Goa. Anthony Barbosa, Vice-President of BJP ST Morcha, expressed shock at the situation, stating, “It is very shocking to witness that the residents of Maina-Curtorim are deprived of one of the basic necessities- roads. 

The local MLA of Curtorim constituency has failed to hear the grievances of the people. Citing political 

reasons for not constructing the roads over here is 

totally shameful.”

However, Lourenco dismissed the accusations, saying that he has completed 90% of the roads in Curtorim constituency and that the remaining works, including those in Maina-Curtorim, will be taken up in the next phase.

The frustrated residents allege that Lourenco has played politics with their situation, and that he has refused to construct the roads because they did not vote for him. Barbosa and Dr Sneha Bhagwat, another local BJP leader, along with the PWD Engineer for the area, reassured the residents that the roads would be constructed soon, promising to start the work before the monsoon season.