OLD GOA
A large number of people gathered outside the St Estevam church to voice their opposition to the construction work of a bridge in the village, which they claim is done to benefit the builder's lobby.
Speaking at the meeting on Tuesday, the speakers highlighted how the bridge project was opposed by the people in 2012, under the leadership of late Fr Bismarck Dias.
“The bridge doesn’t benefit the villagers but the sole purpose is to benefit the builders lobby which are planning to set up a township in St Estevam,” said Mariano Ferrao, organiser of the meeting.
“But now, the construction has restarted and we are opposed to it as it will not only destroy the ecology but also damage the church as the road connecting the bridge passes right in front of the church,” said Ferrao, adding that legal recourse is the only way forward to stop the project.
Describing St Estevam as green island, historian Prof Prajal Sakhardande said such development cannot be allowed as it will finish the beauty of the island.
“If this project goes through, everything will be finished and St Estevam will no longer be called Ilha de Verde, meaning green island,” Sakhardande stated and urged the government not to thrust such projects on the people.
“Fr Bismarck died protecting the natural heritage of St Estevam and if the people unitedly fight against the project, it will never come up,” he stated.
Activist Shankar Polgi came down heavily on the government for bringing the people on the streets on a daily basis.
“Every day, people are coming on the streets on various issues like coal, linear projects, Old Goa structure, etc,” Polgi added and urged the people not to bring such government in power again.
Activists Ana Gracias, Aruna Wagh, Rama Kankonkar and others also spoke on the occasion.
