OLD GOA
BJP leaders including St Andre MLA Francisco Silveira and ZP member Dhaku Madkaikar voiced their opposition to the proposed road widening from Pilar to Old Goa while extending their support to the locals in opposing the project.
Speaking at the meeting, St Andre MLA informed that the issue first cropped up in 2008 in the RP21 plan. “That time all the panchayats opposed the same while resolving that all village roads should be maintained as it is,” Silveira said.
“Let us keep politics aside and work as one to stop the road widening project. I will not allow the road to be widened and I am with the people in opposing the same,” he added.
“I have spoken with chief minister Pramod Sawant and the Goa BJP president Sadanand Tanavade on the issue. I will seek an appointment with the CM and lead a delegation of the villagers to apprise him about the threat posed by the road widening to the houses, crosses, chapels, temples, heritage structures,” he said.
“The Pilar to Old Goa road has to be reverted back to its existing 7 to 8 metres in the RP21,” Silveira stated and added that he will always stand with the people. “The government will have to do what the people want,” he concluded.
Later when the media questioned over the non-involvement of other affected panchayats, Silveira informed that as of now Neura panchayat has taken the lead and as awareness spreads, the other panchayats would also join in.
To another question of meeting the chief minister, Silveira said that he will seek an appointment in a week as Christmas is around the corner. “In the meeting, a delegation comprising of Neura panchayat and concerned locals will be present to inform the CM on their concerns,” he added.
Meanwhile, ZP member Dhaku Madkaikar also opposed the move to widen the Old Goa-Pilar road as it would lead to the destruction of hundreds of structures.
“I am with Save Neura forum and will not allow any structure to be touched. If needed, we will make representation to the State as well as Central government to scrap the project,” Madkaikar added.
