OLD GOA
A large number of villagers gathered at the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Chapel, Chimbel on Sunday to express their opposition to the building of a road within few feet of the chapel and demanded that alternate option be worked out so that damage to the centuries-old monument could be avoided.
Later, speaking at the meeting, various speakers pointed out that there are alternate options available which would save the chapel from destruction.
Parishioner John Lobo said that they have come with an alternate plan where the State PWD highways authorities could build a road on the opposite side of the chapel for traffic movement while undertaking the construction of one flyover bridge.
Local panch Sandesh Chopdekar also said that the authorities should look at alternatives presented by the villagers so that the chapel is saved from damage, which will happen when heavy vehicles pass close to it in case a road is allowed to be built.
Another local Govind Shirodkar said that the Chimbel locals should not allow the road to come up so close to the chapel as it is bound to damage the heritage structure.
Santa Cruz activist Arturo D’Souza said that INTACH had listed the chapel as one of the monuments for preservation in 1984.
“But sadly the government is trying to bulldoze its way against the will of the people and indirectly trying to destroy this centuries-old monument by building a road very close to it,” he added.
Activist lawyer Aires Rodrigues, however, said that since the land acquisition was allowed to happen, now only the authorities can be requested to work out a solution wherein every inch of the chapel is saved.
AE advises locals to put grievances to higher-ups
State PWD Highways AE Eduardo Pereira made his presence felt at the Chimbel chapel to explain the plan of building the road to the locals in detail.
However, as the villagers and the parishioners objected to the building of the road close to the chapel, Pereira said that he cannot commit on anything and asked the people to approach the higher authorities with their grievances.
Rudolf, former MLA extend support to locals
Former St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes’ son Rudolf Fernandes extended his support to the Chimbel locals in their fight to save the chapel from damage.
Fernandes visited the chapel, on Sunday, and expressed solidarity with the villagers while also holding talks with the engineers to come out with a solution so that the road does not run very close to the chapel, as demanded by the people.
Later, speaking to The Goan, Fernandes informed that he has spoken to the PWD Minister Deepak Pawaskar who has agreed to visit the chapel on October 6 at 11 am to listen to the grievances of the locals.
Meanwhile, former St Cruz MLA Victor Gonsalves has also extended his support to the people and assured that he will use his good books to convince the government authorities to work out an alternate solution.
