Team Herald
MARGAO: Acting on the directions of the High Court, the Margao Municipal Council and Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) are set to begin demarcating land for a full-fledged Kabrastan at the acquired site near Sonsoddo. Assistant engineer Vishant Naik informed Herald that GSUDA officials will begin the demarcation process on Friday.
In October last year, the HC had directed the PWD and GSUDA to undertake and complete the works of the graveyard on the acquired land in Sonsoddo within six months. The Division Bench of Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Bharat P. Deshpande had passed this order on a PIL concerning the establishment, upkeep and maintenance of crematoria, cemeteries and kabrastans in the State.
The HC added that the Managing Director of GSUDA and the concerned Superintending Engineer, PWD, shall be held personally responsible if the works are not completed within the timeline.
The land measuring around 30,100 sq mtrs at Sonsoddo was acquired for the purpose in 2011.
However, it is possible that the residents of Borda may object to the burial ground at the planned location, as they have done before. Sources said that Raia panchayat members and villagers are likely to stage a protest at the site to oppose any move to encroach on the property belonging to the church, for the establishment of the kabrastan.
