Ahead of assembly polls, Narayangarh residents cite lack of water, roads, and hospitals, seeking change. In Haldia, pollution is a key issue, while industrial workers protest over salary disparity and lack of promotions.
Narayangarh Residents Decry Lack of Basic Infrastructure
Ahead of the high-stakes West Bengal Assembly polls, Residents of Narayangarh, West Bengal, under the Paschim Medinipur district, have raised concerns about alleged lack of infrastructure, including all-weather roads, clean drinking water, and functional healthcare facilities and neglect from the authorities.
A resident Bhim Debnath stated that easy accces of drinking water, well-built homes are not available in the area. "There is a severe drinking water crisis here. We have to travel 12km just to fetch water... Our homes are made of mud... We lack proper roads. There isn't even a hospital nearby...Our MLA hasn't come to meet us. We want change," he said.
Another resident, Raipada Devrat, also flagged issues in the healthcare system. "There is no hospital. We have to travel far to Kharagpur or Midnapore, where doctors charge Rs 200-500, but we are poor... The roads are in poor condition. We don't even have proper housing," he said.
Grievances in Haldia: Pollution and Labour Issues
Meanwhile, people of Haldia constituency raised the issue of pollution, its impact and efforts for a proper solution to the problem, adding a new dimension to the high-voltage elections in West Bengal, which is revolving around issues including religion, language, SIR, infiltration, and others.
Pollution a Major Concern
Large numbers of workers employed in industrial units operational within Haldia are voicing for the opening of ESIC hospital and trauma unit as well as the disposal of issues linked to their salary disparity. Speaking to ANI, a local youth, SK Manirul Islam, said, "The major issue in Haldia is pollution. Regardless of any party or the government, they should look toward the common people and ensure that pollution is reduced here."
"This is an industrial and dusty area with a port; more trees should be planted, and ways to reduce pollution must be considered so that the common man can breathe in peace. Due to industrial dust, air pollution is at its peak here, and everyone in Haldia is troubled by it," Islam added.
Industrial Workers Demand Fair Agreements
When asked about the poll issues of Haldia, an industrial worker, Shankar Nayak said that there has been no agreement for industrial workers since 2021, nor have there been any promotions. "There are 67 factories across Haldia, and not a single one has an agreement in place. We have been working for 5 years without any promotions. Our demand is that agreements be implemented in all companies and promotions be given on time," he said.
CM Highlights Development in Debra
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier highlighted how the region of Debra has been transformed with the introduction of better facilities, colleges and health care centres. She mentioned that in Debra, we have built a super speciality hospital, along with the public health unit and ITI polytechnic college. She further stated that for drinking water in the Debra block, they are running 53 crucial projects, and almost Rs 9 crore has been spent to establish an integrated English-medium school for Adivasi students.
Election Schedule
West Bengal will conduct elections in two phases, on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes for both phases scheduled for May 4.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)