MLA Caitu, activist face off over water pipeline near Benaulim church

MARGAO: Work of laying the water pipeline near St John the Baptist Church, Benaulim triggered uproar on Wednesday, with local residents and Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva coming face to face over the work carried out under the JICA project.

While the residents demanded to know whether the authorities have sought permission of the Church authorities to carry out the work, the Benaulim MLA pointed out that the work of laying the pipeline is being carried out alongside the public road. When the residents demanded to know whether the water supply line is being laid for the starred hotels, Caitu shot back saying that the line is meant for the people of Benaulim facing water problems.

Heated exchanges ensued between the Benaulim MLA and activist Jose Rodrigues, who questioned work on the pipeline without seeking permissions. The MLA later told the media that he failed to understand why the people are objecting to laying of the water pipeline along the roadside. “The pipeline work is being carried along the public road. It is not passing through anyone’s property. If people lodge objections for laying of water pipeline and underground cabling, there will be no solution to the water and power problems,” he said.

Ex-attorney of St John the Baptist Church, Rosario Furtado said the work on the pipeline is being carried out without taking the local residents into confidence. “The MLA has not told the people about the ongoing work. Today, the authorities will lay the line and later seek permission to construct an overhead reservoir near the Church, which is a heritage site. There’s already one tank existing at the site, and the people are opposed to a second tank coming up next to the Church”, he asserted.

The residents later called on the Parish Priest Fr Nelson Colaco and conveyed their opposition to the work. Fr Colaco requested the residents to submit a signed memorandum, promising to forward the same to the higher Church authorities.