MARGAO
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao has said that a statue of the Father of the historic Opinion Poll Dr Jack de Sequeira will become a reality at the Benaulim traffic junction next year, even as he announced that the ongoing beautification work around the Tolleaband lake will be complete by May-end.
“I had a dream and a vision to beautify the entire area around the Tolleaband lake and to install the statue of the Father of the Opinion Poll. My dream will be fulfilled by May,” he said after reviewing the beautification works with Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) General Manager Jude Fernandes and power officials on Friday.
He said the contractor, D’Souza, has been requested to rope in a noted architect to put the statue of Dr Jack de Sequeira in place before the next Opinion Poll Day.
Saying that work on the beautification was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic and financial constraints, Churchill has now set May-end as the new date for the completion of the project. “The government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had sanctioned Rs 24-odd crore for Benaulim to take up beautification of roads works in the constituency. Accordingly, the funds are being spent on the Tolleabandh-Pedda beautification work, the work near the Orlim Church and the road passing behind the Varca cemetery and another road in Cavelossim,” he said.
On the demand to keep openings for the farmers to enter the Tolleaband water body to cultivate paddy, Churchill said some people are only out to make an issue. “Yesterday, some persons came and questioned the opening kept for the farmers to enter the fields. These persons have not come today, but we ready are to keep not just one, but many openings as per the request of the farmers”, he said.
The Benaulim MLA thanked Manjunath and other villagers, who have been kind enough to support the beautification project by giving their land.
