Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Fringe Area Voters Cast Ballots Amid Basic Amenity Struggles
Voters from Satara-Deolali, Mitma, and other fringe areas of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city exercised their democratic right on Thursday. They cast their votes while facing significant challenges in daily life. The primary issues include a lack of tap water, inadequate drainage lines, and poorly maintained internal roads.
Residents Express Frustration Over Unfulfilled Promises
Despite being part of municipal limits for over a decade, basic amenities remain elusive for many residents. Kamalkishor Purohit, a resident of the Satara area, shared his disappointment. He noted that his area merged into municipal limits in 2016, yet he does not feel like living within them. "Past elections did not focus on our core problems," he said. "We still voted today, hoping the new term of the local civic body will finally end our daily struggles."
Voters Issue Ultimatums to Elected Representatives
During the campaigning period, some voters from fringe areas confronted poll candidates. They demanded action on the absence of basic amenities that has persisted for years. Vijay Kulkarni, a resident of Deolai, made a strong statement. "This election will be my last as a voter if the elected officials fail to address our issues in the next five years," he declared. "I will not even visit the polling booth to choose NOTA if our suffering continues after this term."
Water Supply Project Adds to Uncertainty
Many fringe areas, along with certain city zones, still lack access to tap water. Residents have placed their hopes on a new water supply project valued at Rs 2,740 crore. However, this project has missed multiple deadlines. Authorities have not provided any concrete assurance regarding its full commissioning date. This uncertainty adds to the voters' concerns as they await tangible improvements.
The overall sentiment among voters is one of cautious optimism. They participated in the electoral process with the belief that their voices might finally lead to change. The outcome of this election will be closely watched by these communities.
