On Tuesday morning, I attended morning service at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, and had to park far as the road between the Bom Jesus Basilica and the Se Cathedral remained closed.
I later heard that this road, which was closed and had to remain so permanently, was opened in the evening through the instructions of the some persons with vested interests.
On January 25, the Save Old Goa Action Committee (SOCAC) had staged a peaceful dharna below the statue of Mahatma Gandhi demanding a master plan for Old Goa, which includes a permanent place for hawkers and vendors who are currently doing business very close to the proximity of the world heritage monuments.
When I went to visit this place late evening, and the following morning, I found all the vendors and hawkers had moved much closer to the now opened road which mars the beauty of this sacred place.
This was not so when the road was closed before, during and after the exposition.
These vendors also inconvenience the flow of traffic and should be banned.
Also, those selling candles and ice creams should have another designated place.
The Church and the faithful were full of praise for the Exposition Secretariat for the arrangements during the exposition.
Are our elected representatives, from the Panchayat and ruling party, here to listen to the wishes of the people or to do what they feel best to serve their own vested interest?
It’s a shame that every time an assurance is given by one it is forgotten by others.
