VASCO
Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar on Friday launched a sharp attack on South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes, accusing him of repeatedly spreading misinformation and misleading the public for political mileage.
Speaking while laying the foundation stone for retaining wall works at Khapreshwar temple at Sada, Amonkar alleged that Fernandes was “well known for creating fear among people by circulating false information, especially when elections are nearing.”
He asserted that attempts were being made to misguide residents over the future of Dabolim airport.
Amonkar said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Panchayat Minister and Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho, and IT Minister Rohan Khaunte had held a series of meetings regarding the airport. “We have clear assurances from both the State and the Centre that Dabolim airport will never be closed. Spreading baseless rumours only creates unnecessary panic,” he said.
Turning to the temple works, Amonkar said the Khapreshwar temple is a decades-old shrine visited by devotees from Mormugao and across Goa. Situated on a hill, the temple faces heavy water flow during the monsoon, which has led to soil erosion and minor damage to the slope behind the structure.
He said the temple committee had long demanded construction of a retaining wall to safeguard the foundation of the shrine. The work, being executed by the Water Resources Department, is estimated to cost Rs 1.2 crore.
Amonkar added that additional proposals submitted by the temple committee would be taken up in due course.
He also stated that similar retaining wall projects would be undertaken in other vulnerable locations to prevent erosion and protect public and religious structures.
