PANJIM: Former Councillor of Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) Sheetal Naik on Tuesday demanded that the Smart City work going on at Taad-Maad in St Inez be completed before Vat Pournima i.e. June 21.
Speaking to reporters, she said, “We have seen how the retaining wall has collapsed. The Devasthan here is visited by many faithfuls who come from Tonca, Caranzalem and Taleigao. It is even visited by many devotees during the auspicious month of Shravan. We women come here to observe Vat Pournima Vrat. But we do not know how we will celebrate the Vat Pournima.”
“There I would like to request Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that the work here be completed before June 21, 2024. And it should be proper work,” she said.
Sheetal also said that the sewerage chamber should not be constructed near the temple as it has been seen in the past that the sewerage would overflow the chamber and reach near the temple.
“There should be some distance between the chamber and the temple,” she said.
Former CCP councillor Babita Naik said, “There is a complete mess at Taad-Maad and we have no space to even stand. Last year also we observed the festival with difficulties but this year it is too much. That is why we have demanded that the work be completed before June 21.”
Vinaya Naik, a St Inez resident, said, “We have been staying here for many years and we know the rituals of Taad- Maad. It is so bad that the retaining walls are falling. The precious is very precious and pure. Now the problem is that there is no space to stand or sit there. Even the priest cannot perform the rituals over there. On the occasion of Vat Purnima, people from St Inez, Miramar and Taleigao will gather there.”
A concrete drainage, which was constructed recently, collapsed at Taad-Maad at St Inez on Monday morning.
