Panaji Voters Head to Polls Amid Frustration Over Civic Neglect and Urban Decay
On Wednesday, residents of Panaji, the capital city of Goa, will walk into polling booths to cast their votes. However, their electoral participation is heavily overshadowed by persistent and unresolved urban problems that plague daily life. Gridlocked streets, deteriorating buildings, poor civic maintenance, and tourism-related pressures have created a climate of frustration among voters, who feel their concerns are often ignored once election seasons conclude.
Years of Unfulfilled Promises on Urban Issues
For years, city authorities have repeatedly promised to tackle a range of critical urban challenges. These include chaotic parking situations, peak-hour traffic congestion, a municipal market vulnerable to fire hazards, and growing garbage management issues. Despite these assurances, residents report that such commitments typically fade away after elections, leaving problems unaddressed and worsening over time.
The recent expected entry of a 112-metre-long offshore casino into the River Mandovi sparked protests among some residents, highlighting tensions over development. Yet, many voters insist that the city's more urgent concerns remain rooted in basic civic infrastructure, which continues to deteriorate.
The Municipal Market: A Symbol of Neglect
The Panaji municipal market stands as a glaring example of civic neglect. Its underground parking area is poorly lit and often considered unsavoury, while staircases are stained with paan spit, creating unhygienic conditions. Fire-safety equipment is largely missing, posing significant risks to shopkeepers and shoppers alike.
Nitin Ganjekar, a grocery store owner in the market, revealed that hose reels, hydrants, and sprinklers recommended by the fire department were never replaced. "All equipment is gathering rust. We still have not been able to arrange portable fire extinguishers. The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) issued notices but did not help us procure them," he said.
Shopkeepers and shoppers argue that the CCP should at least ensure proper maintenance of the market complex. "The spit stains on the walls make it unpleasant and unhygienic to walk around the market. We have to repaint our shop portions ourselves to keep them clean for customers. The corporation should also keep the staircases clean," said shopkeeper Shafi Balebhai.
Incomplete Projects and Vendor Frustrations
The civic body earlier demolished the 1980s market building to make way for Phase III of the market complex, but the project never materialised. The fish market also remains incomplete, leaving vendors frustrated and operating in substandard conditions.
"The shed was built recently, but water and dirt made it unbearable quickly. The slope meant to drain water is useless because the water stagnates. We also cannot shift to the main building and sell fish among fruit and vegetable vendors," said Smita Jawlekar, a fish vendor.
Traffic Congestion and Parking Woes
Traffic congestion remains another major concern for Panaji residents. The city's roads are packed with vehicles, including cargo trucks, tourist buses, and taxis parked outside offshore casinos. While electric hop-on hop-off buses running on closed-loop routes have improved public transport to some extent, they have not reduced dependence on private vehicles.
The corporation introduced a pay-parking system to discourage residents from driving into the city and curb double parking. However, residents say the system has done little to ease the problem. "Parking remains an issue even after pay parking. We pay for a spot but still struggle to take our vehicles out because cars are parked too close to each other," said Ramdas Naik, a regular shopper at the market.
Safety Concerns Over Ageing Buildings
Safety concerns also loom over ageing buildings in Panaji. Approximately 20 structures have been marked as weak and dangerous, but only two have been demolished so far—the old market building and a dilapidated house on MG Road. Hundreds of people continue to pass beneath these fragile structures daily, raising alarms about potential hazards.
As voters head to the polls, the overarching sentiment is one of disillusionment with civic governance. The election serves as a reminder of the urgent need for sustained action on urban infrastructure, rather than temporary promises that vanish post-election.
