VASCO
A number of religious structures, including the St Anthony Cross popularly known as Milagrancho Khuris, along the four-lane highway between Cortalim circle to Chicalim in Mormugao face an uncertain future, with the authorities planning to retain, relocate or remove these on account of the proposed widening of the highway.
Mormugao Dy Collector Mahadev Arondekar on Wednesday informed that a meeting has been convened at the Mormugao Dy Collector’s office on February 9 to decide on all religious structures along the four-lane road that is being widened.
Speaking to media persons, Arondekar said he had received a letter from the South Goa district collector to identify all religious structures that could be retained, removed or relocated during the road widening work.
“Accordingly, the departments concerned, including the national highways and PWD roads, were sent letters asking for seeking reports.”
“All land owners who have religious structures on their land and which can be removed, retained or relocated are also invited on Friday with details and reports.”
“Once we get the reports with details, we will send them to South Goa Collectorate,” said Arondekar.
When contacted, NHAI Director P S Dodamani said it was a routine practice that all structures, including religious, coming in the alignment of the road or the highway have to be listed. “When a road is widened, all structures, including religious, have to be listed. However, after listing a valuation is done and the religious structure is either retained or relocated.”
