Surat: Ahead of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) elections, anger over unresolved civic issues has surfaced across residential societies, with residents in some areas putting up banners barring political party leaders and workers from entering for campaigning.Poor basic infrastructure, largely attributed to changes in town planning schemes, has emerged as a common grievance.In Bharthana-Vesu, residents of Ashirvad Villa have announced a complete boycott of voting over long-pending civic issues. A banner at the society gate states that despite years of one-sided voting in large numbers, residents have received only inconvenience in return.The banner alleges that in the name of town planning, a vital road and garden meant for the society were taken away through reservation and allotted elsewhere. Residents claim the SMC has denied them basic infrastructure for nearly 20 years, affecting around 2,500 people.“We have ensured maximum voting from the society and most votes went to the BJP, but we have faced injustice for years. We resorted to this protest as our issues remain unresolved,” said Vinod Patel, a resident.Residents said the society continues to rely on over-a-decade-old water and drainage infrastructure, lacks streetlights, and has developed its own internal roads. They added that after losing land earmarked for a road and garden, the matter was taken to court and remains pending.A similar protest has been reported from Dangigev Society in Katargam, where residents have also put up “No Vote” banners and asked political workers to stay away.Residents there said that despite paying taxes for over 35 years, along with incremental charges, the society still lacks basic infrastructure. They alleged that even though the mayor was elected from the ward with strong support from the area, their locality continues to be neglected.“Road and drainage infrastructure has not been redeveloped for years due to a dispute over additional land being reserved. We had already given land as required during planning, but more was later marked for reservation,” said Rajesh Pandav, a resident.In Rander, residents near Gorat Hanuman Temple have also put up banners urging only those leaders to seek votes who can ensure protection of the temple. Rander was among the areas where implementation of the Disturbed Areas Act was demanded early on.
