The Goan Network
Panjim
A group of Sangolda residents under the banner "Together for Sangolda" on Saturday came together to oppose Saligao MLA and Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar's plans to widen Chogm road, which according to Salgaonkar will lead to "heritage village" Saligao.
Addressing media persons in the capital, residents Dominic Fernandes, Sandra Fernandes, Tony Remedios, Jimensey Sangodkar amongst others said that it made absolutely no sense to destroy heritage houses dating back to a hundred years that lined Chogm road.
"It doesn't make sense that the Minister would destroy these heritage houses to widen a road, in order to lead to a "heritage village," said Sandra, adding, "If he wants to promote heritage, then these houses need to be protected first."
Dominic added, "What the Minister is trying to do is not development but destruction. We are not against development. But we will not let our houses be destroyed for the sake of such 'development'."
Those present also said that they absolutely opposed any road widening even though the Minister has apparently promised not to destroy any houses, because they feel that once road widening starts, demolition of houses will slowly start one by one and people will be forced to agree to this against their wishes.
Meanwhile, the people asked for the Minister to tar the potholed Chogm road which lies in disrepair. "Instead of widening the road, why can't the Minister repair the existing road?" questioned Jimensey.
The residents alleged that the reason the Minister was adamant about widening the road was to further a mega-housing project which was in the pipeline.
They also condemned the Minister for wrongly stating that the Saligao Church supported this move.
"We have contacted the Church authorities and they have not expressed any agreement with the MLA," said Dominic, adding, "The Church would never weigh in on an issue of public importance without consulting the parishioners. The MLA needs to stop dragging the Church into this issue."
Tony told the press that in 2014, after repeated representations from the villagers to the then Chief Minister, the road widening project had been stopped. He said there was no reason to re-visit it now.
