PORVORIM:  Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday assured the House that a decision on the demand to de-notify State Highway 8 passing through Chandor would be taken after all the stakeholders and affected parties are taken into confidence. 

“Wherever required we can consider your demand. It will be examined. Government will work out a solution taking all stakeholders into confidence. However, one cannot expect things to happen immediately,” Parrikar said replying to a Zero Hour mention by Congress MLA Clafasio Dias, who pointed out that the villagers are demanding that the State Highway 8 passing through Chandor be de-notified. 

Dias said that the road was declared State Highway in 1977, without taking people into confidence. “And now, when the Public Works Department has proposed widening of the State highways, the people have apprehension that their old heritage and Portuguese architecture houses and structures will be demolished or damaged,” he said. 

Replying to the apprehension, the Chief Minister said that Minister Vijai Sardesai has already taken up the matter with him and the issue is under consideration of the government for a solution. “I am of the strong view, that old houses, heritage structures, need to be protected and we will work out solution for that,” Parrikar said. 

Participating in the discussion, Congress MLA Luizinho Faleiro informed House that since the road passing through Chandor, Dhavorlim is declared as State Highways, bars operating within 500 meter radius have been shut following the Supreme Court order. “The people of these villages are suffering. Their livelihood is affected. They have no business left. Government will have to give them some protection,” he said.

To this, the Chief Minister assured to consider these establishments, for relocating at an alternative place by renewing their licences. “I will have a meeting with all the affected parties and take the decision accordingly,” he said. 

Earlier, PWD Minister Ramakrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar said that the road was declared State Highway in 1977, while the acquisition and possession was taken in 1990. “The establishments and houses have come up road side post it was declared State highway,” he said. 

The Minister assured that while undertaking widening of the road – 4 lanning – no houses will be demolished or damaged. 

During Question Hour, replying to a question raised by Dias, Dhavalikar said that the government has proposed a 2-lane railway over bridge on South Western Railway (LC18) near Chandor railway station.