Team Herald 

PANJIM: It might sound unbelievable, but the construction of a fly over connecting to the third Mandovi Bridge has religious repercussion. The place which was used for Ganesh Idol immersion just after Heera Petrol Pump on the road to Bambolim,  will no longer be accessible to the devotees during these festivities.

A small stretch of backwater along Panjim-Bambolim road has been a place where traditionally people from the surrounding residential areas, immerse Ganesh Idols. The local authorities had even constructed steps so that it was easy to immerse the idols. But the entire area has been invaded by the contractor-L&T, constructing the fly over for the third Mandovi bridge and literally cordoned it making it inaccessible for the people. Generally, even if someone has to peep into that place, they have to get permission from Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC).

Though GSIDC has promised that access will be granted for idol immersion, the ground reality makes it literally impossible. The fact that there are huge iron pillars, literally making it impossible for anyone to enter it. More so, the backwater is full of construction debris, where immersion of idol is impractical. When our photographer visited the site to check the ground situation, the security personnel cum engineers on duty stopped him stating that no one can enter it without permission from their client who is GSIDC. The person even said that they will not allow idol immersion without permission of their client as according to them, it would be risky. The strict checking and ban on entry have not gone well with the people who have used this place traditionally to immerse Ganesh. They feel that at least during the time of immersion, the place should be made available for the general public. The Ganesh festival is scheduled on September 13. 

Prakash Naik, Panch Merces said " We had approached GSIDC chairman almost more than a month back requesting to concretize the lake and ensure that the access is open for us for idol immersion. Since then I have been constantly following up. Today morning we entire panchayat members went and met chairman who assured us that the issue will be sort it out by evening. In the evening vice chairman sidharat  kunkolienkar came at the site and issued directions to allow access and concretize the area. It is been done now as a temporary measure. The panchayat has demanded that once bridge work is complete the lake area be revamped.” This issue has certainly roiled local sentiments. “It has been a tradition that we immerse Ganesh there. We have absolutely no objection to GSIDC or any agency banning the entry of people during entire year. But when it comes to our religious sentiments, the state has to listen to us,” Pratap Dalvi, a local said. He said that for last two-decades, his family has been immersing the idol at this place. Manoj Gaitonde, another local, said “the water is full of construction debris. Where will we immerse Ganesh? Construction of bridge is necessary but at the same time people sentiments have to also be taken care of”. When contacted, GSIDC vice chairman Siddharat Kuncolienkar assured that access would be granted to the people for idol immersion on the respective days. “We are not allowing people at present as part of safety. But for immersion of idols we will allow. We will also ensure that necessary safety measures are in place,” he said.