PANJIM: While granting in-principle approval for construction of the retaining wall along side of Altinho hillock as part of redevelopment and beautification of the St Inez cemetery, the parishioners of St Inez and Panjim have raised strong objection to demolition of rest of cemetery walls that contains niches. They have said the redevelopment plan should not include any changes to existing graves and niches, while facility can be provided to accommodate more niches.
In a letter to City Corporation Commissioner IAS Ajit Roy, Parish Priest Fr Albano Fernandes, on behalf of the parishioners, has demanded for a joint meeting of CCP representatives, Consultant-Rahul Deshpande and Committee appointed by the Parishioners, to discuss the plan in detail before the final drawings and estimation.
“I hope this will be taken in all seriousness so that the project is carried out in an earnest and transparent manner in order to be beneficial both to the CCP and the Parishioners who are the end users of the Cemetery,” the letter stated.
“Parishioners reiterate the need for the CCP, Consultants and themselves to work in tandem, so that whatever redevelopment is done is in keeping with the historic value of the cemetery,” it added.
The redevelopment, which will be undertaken in phase manner includes new retaining wall, pavements, redoing of niches, lightening, caretaker room, stage in Phase IA and Phase IB comprises of redevelopment of front entrance court of the church. Phase II will be systematic alignment of graves. Currently there are 730 niches and 1205 graves. The project is expected to be completed by 2020.
Father said that the parishioners understand the need and urgency to construct retaining wall along the slope of the Altinho hill, whereby the niche walls as marked by the consultant, along side of the retaining wall will be affected and needs to be demolished and redone, thereby incorporating more niches within the section of the walls.
“This has been accepted in-principle. The mode of contacting the niche owners, removal of the remains for safe keeping, labeling them, storing them, refixing, etc will need to be discussed in detail,” he said. “However, the parishioners reiterate their stand that all the other cemetery walls, which contain niches should not be demolished,” he added.
