Team Herald
MARGAO: With regards to news reports regarding the excavation work at Chandreshwar temple in Paroda, the GTDC Executive Engineer Nandkumar Acharya has inspected the site and has observed that some rock boulders in front of the temple premises have been broken.
The GTDC has informed that the Corporation, on the request of the Paroda Temple official Committee, had initiated the work of Beautification of Chandreshwar Bhutnath Temple at the cost of Rs 4.61 crore to upgrade and provide facilities for the tourists visiting the temple. The work is in progress since December 2016 and is being implemented with the consent of the Temple committee.
On immediate receipt of the complaint, GTDC issued a notice to the Contractor M/s City Contractions on the violation of the tender conditions without consent of the GTDC officials as the location where reportedly the rocks are broken is not within the scope of work. The GTDC has pointed out that the contractor has exceeded the brief and violated the contract terms. GTDC has decided to take strict action against the contractor and show notice has been issued.
Interestingly, they are yet to take an explanation from the contractor over the motive behind the excavation. However, GTDC stated that the damages so done shall be recovered from the contractor and the site shall be restored. How will GTDC be able to restore natural rock formations is a question that needs to be answered before thanking up any further works
The President of the temple committee had informed Herald that the committee had taken the decision to build a Deepsthamb at the site where excavation was done but had pointed to the government contractor when asked who had excavated the site. The question rises is whether the temple committee had directed the contractor without the knowledge of GTDC
The GTDC assures its commitment towards protecting history and heritage of the State which is the core pillar and strength of the State and the tourism industry which tourists throng to Goa to explore and experience.
The GTDC assures to closely monitor the beautification work of the Chandreshwar Bhutnath Temple and ensures that it will be completed to the satisfaction of the locals and temple authorities after inquiry is completed.
