OLD GOA
Parishioners and locals of Chimbel heaved a major sigh of relief after PWD minister Deepak Pauskar assured that the property of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception chapel, including the compound wall, would not be touched and that, the road would be diverted on the other side.
Pauskar made the assurance on Tuesday, as a large number of parishioners, villagers and activists waited patiently for over two hours at the chapel premises.
It may be recalled that the Chimbel villagers, since Saturday, have been opposing the move to build a road very close to the chapel fearing that it would create immense damage to the centuries old heritage structure ultimately leading to its collapse.
The villagers were also demanding that the road be diverted on the opposite side of the chapel as there is now ample space available.
Speaking further, Pauskar said the government has never hurt the sentiments of the people by demolishing or damaging religious structures.
“In the entire State where highway construction is done, no religious structure has been demolished and adjustments have been made to save such structures,” Pauskar informed and added that the same would be done as far as Chimbel chapel is concerned.
“Earlier, there was a plan for highway expansion of 40 metres but to save the chapel, we will plan everything within 27 metres,” he informed.
Local MLA Tony Fernandes thanked Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar for hearing his plea to save the chapel from damage.
“When I was approached by a member of the chapel committee last Saturday, I had immediately called up authorities concerned and directed them not to touch the compound wall till I was out of home isolation,” Fernandes told the media.
“Today, as I am out of home isolation, a meeting was organised in my office with the PWD minister, PWD officials and chapel committee members wherein it was mutually agreed upon that the compound wall of the chapel will not be demolished and the road will be diverted on the western side of the chapel,” he added.
He said the principal chief engineer, executive engineer, assistant engineer, junior engineer, St Cruz BJP member Girish Uskaikar, BJP vice-president Anil Hoble, panch Sandesh Chopdekar and chapel committee members were present at the meeting.
When asked if there would be any deviation from the decision later, Fernandes said he has already spoken to the CM, who has assured that he would grant approval for the alternate plan.
“The chapel committee will have to submit a letter and after putting up a note, an approval will be sought from the government,” Fernandes informed.
‘Works on NH roads to be completed by May next’
OLD GOA: PWD minister Deepak Pawaskar informed that all works on national highway roads will be completed by May 2021.
“We have issued directions that all national highway roads should be completed by May 2021. Our engineers are working to achieve the objective,” said Pawaskar, while speaking to the media at the St MLA’s office. “The first four lanes of the eight lane Zuari bridge will also be completed by April end,” he added.
