MAPUSA
Acknowledging the grievances of the Chimbel residents who could not carry out Ganesh visarjan, Santa Cruz MLA Rudolf Fernandes said that the local administration had been unable to intervene in the matter due to an ongoing legal dispute.
However, Fernandes assured that the situation would be resolved once the court proceedings concluded.
“There is a legal tangle that prevents the government from taking immediate action regarding the cleanliness and maintenance of the tank where locals traditionally conducted Ganesh visarjan in the tank,” Fernandes told The Goan, further stating, “However, we are hopeful that this will soon be resolved after the court hearing ends.”
The annual Ganesha idol immersion in Chimbel took an unexpected turn this year as many residents opted to avoid the local water tank, citing its unhygienic condition.
The dirty state of the water body prompted several households to carry out the immersion ritual by pouring water over the idols instead of using the traditional tank, raising concerns over the management and maintenance of public spaces meant for religious practices.
For years, the water tank in Chimbel has served as the traditional site for the immersion of Ganesha idols, an essential part of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities. However, this year, many devotees were unwilling to use the tank due to the visible pollution and accumulated dirt.
Instead, they improvised by pouring water on the idols for the visarjan, ensuring that their religious duties were fulfilled.
MLA Fernandes acknowledged the grievances of the Chimbel residents and reassured them that the government would prioritise the restoration of the tank after the legal barriers were cleared.
“We understand the significance of this issue, especially during religious events. As soon as the legal proceedings are over, we will ensure that the tank is cleaned and ready for future celebrations,” he said.
The Santa Cruz MLA had raised the issue during the monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly stressing the panic caused among the concerned residents.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had assured the House the matter was resolved and since it was government property the villagers should permanently get access to the tank.
