the goan I network
MARGAO
Expressing his gratitude to TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai for the TCP Board’s decision to de-notify the controversial SH8 highway passing through Chandor village, Yuri Alemao on Friday unveiled his plans to join the Goa Forward party on August 26 at a function at Cuncolim.
Addressing the media in the presence of former two-time MLA Joaquim Alemao, Chandor Sarpanch Celina Furtado, members of the SH8 group and villagers from Chandor and Guirdolim, Yuri said that the TCP Minister has honoured the promise made to him, Joaquim and other villagers to get the SH8 de-notified.
“I along with Joaquim Alemao was approached by the SH8 committee to seek the intervention of the TCP Minister to get the highway de-notified. Sardesai was convinced that the demand of Chandor villagers was genuine and the TCP Board headed by him has de-notified the highway,” Yuri told the media.
Terming the TCP Board’s decision as a victory for the SH8 committee and Chandor villagers, Yuri appreciated the TCP Minister for having stuck to his promise before taking the decision. “As the TCP Minister has fulfilled the demand of the people of Chandor, I am equally confident that Sardesai will take Cuncolim forward on the development front,” he said, while taking pot shots at the incumbent Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias on the development front.
SH8 spokesperson Joy D’Silva thanked the TCP Minister, Joaquim and Yuri Alemao for resolving the SH8 issue with the TCP Board taking the decision to de-notify the highway passing through Chandor. “When the villagers along with Joaquim and Yuri called on the TCP Minister, he was convinced that the villagers had a genuine grievance. We had approached former MLA Joaquim Alemao seeking his intervention after our efforts over the last one year and half failed to bear fruit,” Joy said.
When a scribe sought to know whether the TCP Minister has come out with an alternative highway route, co-convenor of SH8 group Domnick Mendes said the Minister will look into the alternate route.
Meanwhile, Goa Forward leader Durgadas Kamat, who was present for the media conference, said that Yuri along with his workers will join the Goa Forward party at the Cuncolim Municipal hall on August 26, at 4 pm.
“Yuri has decided to join the GF as the TCP Minister has fulfilled the promise made to Chandorkars to de-notify the SH8 highway,” Durgadas said.
