PANAJI
The Goa government has decided to shelve the ‘Aarti Ghat’ project at Naroa in Bicholim following opposition from local residents, with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assuring that the plan will not be implemented.
“Aarti Ghat proposed to commence at Naroa from May has been scrapped. He (CM) has assured... it won’t happen now,” MLA Rajesh Faldesai told reporters after meeting the CM at his official residence on Monday evening.
On Sunday, several residents from Divar, Naroa, Akhada, Vanxim and nearby areas gathered at the site to stage a protest where they said that the land holds deep religious and cultural significance for them and must remain undisturbed.
Residents who were protesting feared that the development will commercialize a sacred space and erase centuries-old traditions.
They claimed that the crematorium land has been in use for generations and should be protected and not converted into a tourist attraction. The protestors also voiced concern that the project smacks of the government's priority for tourism revenues at the cost of cultural preservation.
The project, estimated to cost approximately Rs 10 crore and proposed in May last year, had drawn objections from villagers.
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) had planned to develop the banks of the Mandovi River at Narve as a ‘Ghat Aarti’ site on the lines of the aarti performed on the banks of the Ganga. The spiritual tourism initiative had even received Coastal Regulation Zone clearance from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority.
GTDC had proposed to construct an “aarti deck” along with allied facilities. The project components included a puja mandapam, seating areas, ticket counter, cafeteria, tourist information centre, floating jetty, small boats and a ferry ramp. A statue of Lord Shiva was also proposed as part of the development.
