MAPUSA
Trouble is brewing in Calangute over renewed plans to block the traditional access to a chapel and provide an alternate approach instead, ostensibly to clear obstacles to a hotel project that has come up nearby.The flashpoint now is the construction of an unauthorised culvert on a stormwater drain near the St Anthony’s Chapel at Gauravaddo, Calangute.
Locals allege that a hotel developer has constructed a multi-storied building in the area and in the process, wrecked the traditional access to the chapel.
Nearly two years ago, the villagers had organised a protest to oppose any new access to the chapel and instead, demanded that the traditional access be restored for the devotees to take part in their religious activities.
Former panchayat member Clotildes Braganza has alleged that the hotel management has constructed a culvert on a stormwater drain belonging to the Calangute comunidade.
“The culvert is constructed illegally without requisite permission from authorities as a result it has reduced the width of the drain by one meter thus causing flooding in the area due to the incessant rains. The water gets choked/stagnated and poses a health hazard in the area,” stated Braganza, in a letter to the Administrator of Communidade, North Goa.
Further, she has urged the administrator to direct the chief engineer of water resources department to remove all obstructions/encroachments on the drain if not she would approach an appropriate forum to redress her grievance.
The issue has galvanised the local community which has requested the parishioners to attend a meeting to be held on July 16 at 8.30 am at St Anthony’s chapel, Gaura-vaddo East and oppose the alternate access.
The comunidade of Calangute has also written to the managing committee of Confraria De S Antonio Da Capela de Gaura Vaddo, Meridional Calangute to discuss the issue of unauthorised culvert touching the chapel properties.
Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequiera informed that the panchayat was not favouring anyone but only playing the role of a facilitator.
He said the hotel owner has provided new access to the chapel from the southern side and it was now for the people to decide.
“If the people are comfortable with the new access let them take it. It’s left for the people and the parishioners of the chapel to decide what is in their interest,” Sequeira said.
