Maharashtra Elections 2024: Wadhiv Island Villagers Threaten NOTA in Protest Over Isolation

Villagers on Wadhiv Island, off Mumbai’s coast in Palghar district have issued a clear warning to politicians requesting to fix infrastructure or face a NOTA protest in the upcoming Maharashtra elections. With over 4,000 residents, Wadhiv and neighboring Vaitypada lack basic connections to the mainland, leaving locals feeling neglected and cut off from essential services like healthcare, transportation and education.

Isolation and Risks for Villagers

Life on Wadhiv Island is a daily struggle. The villagers have no safe route to the mainland except for a hazardous railway track that many must walk across to reach Vaitarna station. This lack of connectivity has led to serious safety concerns especially for pregnant women who risk delivering on the way to the hospital and for students who face unsafe paths to school.

Community Push for Basic Infrastructure

Frustrated by empty political promises villagers are now planning to vote NOTA (None of the Above) to express their dissatisfaction with all parties. Some residents even offered to pay extra money to fund a bridge rather than accept a government scheme offering Rs. 1,500. Villagers argue they would rather see funds go toward an essential bridge than receive a small payout that doesn’t address the root issue.

Marriage and Social Consequences

Isolation has also impacted the social lives of residents. Young people face challenges in finding marriage prospects as potential families are unwilling to marry into an area without basic infrastructure. Some families have left the island entirely for nearby towns like Virar and Safale to secure a better quality of life.

Calls for Urgent Action

Local leaders, including MLA Rajesh Patil have raised proposals to improve connectivity such as linking Wadhiv to the Mumbai-Vadodara Expressway. However, no decisions have been made yet. As the election approaches, the villagers hope that their NOTA threat will finally push authorities to take their demands seriously.

2,752 votes is Winning margin of BVA candidate Rajesh Patil in the Boisar constituency in 2019 and now 4,000 residents threatening to choose NOTA in the 2024 election.

The struggle of Wadhiv Island’s residents highlights a pressing need for reliable infrastructure in off Mumbai’s remote areas. As villagers call for basic access to the mainland, their vote for NOTA sends a strong message to politicians that promises aren’t enough, action is essential.

Written by

Raja Dharshini Annamalai