A number of parishioners of Our Lady of Piedade Church, Divar, led by Parish Priest Fr Jose Dias gather outside the church to voice their opposition to installation of a mobile tower.
Photo Credits: Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
Parishioners of Our Lady of Piedade Church, Divar, led by Parish Priest Fr Jose Dias have voiced their opposition to the installation of a mobile tower near the church.
To voice their opposition, a number of parishioners gathered at the church premises on Wednesday and demanded that the mobile tower be shifted elsewhere, where there is no human habitation.
Speaking to The Goan, Parish Priest Fr Dias said they had gathered to oppose the work on installation of a mobile tower which has begun near the church.
“We are opposing it as there are residential areas here, also an old-aged home. We are not opposed to mobile towers per se, but we are opposed to its location. There are many places where the tower could be installed and where it won’t affect anybody. Authorities concerned want to set up tower here as it would be easy work for them,” Fr Dias said.
“They say it is for the betterment of the people. But when authorities conducted inspection they did it secretly without informing us, even when we had objected to the mobile tower.”
“Objections have been submitted by individuals, ward members, villagers, church, senior citizens, etc. If the tower is beneficial for the people, then why the secrecy?”
A Church Fabrica member, Alexin Monserrate, said work has been stopped at the moment due to their objections.
“The tower will come in line with the façade of the church, which will spoil the beauty of the church,” Monserrate opined.
A parishioner, Victor Fernandes, said they have informed that the mobile tower would cater to four service providers, with 18 antennas installed.
“The plan is also to make it as a main hub. So, it could be just imagined how much radiation will occur here but authorities say they will study the radiation effect only after installation of the tower, which is absurd,” Fernandes informed.
“According to the report, it is said that there are no fruit-bearing trees in the vicinity of the site. There are many fruit bearing trees, including a mango tree, which dried up within two days and we suspect it was a deliberate act,” he added.
