OLD GOA
In a major relief to the Chimbel locals, St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes said the Old Aged Home project proposed by the Provedoria would not come up near the ruins of the Mount Carmel church but would instead be shifted in the open space available on the other side.
Speaking to the media after meeting the locals, Fernandes said he had spoken to the Institute of Public Assistance Minister Milind Naik who informed to get the project shifted to a place where there is no objection from the Carmelites as well as the locals.
“This project is only an Old Aged Home for the Goans, funded by the Central government, and nothing more. Funds for the project are allotted only for new construction and not to demolish any existing structure to build a new one,” clarified Fernandes.
The MLA said he had been kept in the dark regarding the project.
“I was never consulted on the project. In fact, authorities concerned should have first approached the Carmelite Fathers, the locals, the panchayat as well as the local MLA, before doing any groundwork on the project,” said Fernandes.
Stating categorically that he would not allow any project to come up near the ruins, the MLA added: “I am not opposing the project but it can be set up in the adjacent open land available on the other side.”
On the issue of demand of transfer of land to the Carmelites, Fernandes said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said if the Carmelites have ownership documents, the land could be transferred in their name but with proper procedure.
“There is a compounded boundary and that portion of the property could be reverted but first it has to be put up at the Cabinet for approval,” he said.
Secretary of Mount Carmel Conservation Association of Chimbel Ana Gracias thanked the MLA for his assurance that the project would not come up in close vicinity of the ruins.
However, Gracias said the assurance has to be given in black and white.
“Our committee is a registered one and to date, we have not received any communication. We are expecting authorities concerned will keep us in the loop,” Gracias stated.
Fr Sylvestre D’Souza, superior of the Carmelite Monastery, Margao, said the main aim is to conserve the place and not to build anything new.
“We are not against the Old Aged Home project, which will benefit society but only against the location. So, it is best if it is shifted somewhere else through mutual dialogue. We can sit across the table, discuss and then find an amicable solution,” Fr D’Souza informed.
“Further, we hope that some written assurance will come from authorities and we will follow up on the issue as well,” the priest added.
Architect favours ruins to be developed into tourism site
OLD GOA: Stating that it is high time to change the image of Chimbel, architect Fernando Velho has proposed that the Mount Carmel church ruins and its surroundings could be used for various purposes, including tourism.
“When people think of Chimbel, they think of all the negatives. However, the same could be changed if the area around the ruins is transformed into a nice tourism site where tours are conducted. A nominal entry fee could be charged and that money could be used for the Old Aged Home,” Velho said.
Further, he said the Serendipity Arts Festival organisers could be approached to conduct the festival here.
“Already, they are conducting the festival in neighbouring Ribandar and they can do it here too,” he informed.
Alternatively, architect Velho said the area could be developed into an area for children and senior citizens of Chimbel where the Old Aged Home inmates could come and interact, and not feel like they are in prison.
“This should be a public ground with a garden like they do in Europe, a garden around the ruins,” he opined.
However, Velho has said that he has first asked the Carmelites to hire architects from Mumbai because no architect in Goa specialises in such type of conservation.
“There are some firms in Mumbai which do this type of work. I have told them to contact the firms, prepare a report and then talk to the government. Once you have a plan in place, the money will come from big institutions like Tata Trust, CSMVS, INTACH, etc,” he added.
