Says venture undertaken to benefit building lobby
TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
OLD GOA: Claiming that church authorities and locals have been kept in the dark over the proposed NH-4A expansion work, the rector of Bom Jesus Basilica has alleged that the expansion work could end up benefiting the real estate lobby, as attempts are being made to clear the jungles on both sides of the Old Goa-Kadamba highway.
He was reacting to comments from PWD Minister Sudhin Dhavlikar, who had recently informed that the State government was in the process of preparing a detailed project report on the widening of the Old Goa-Panjim road, with a dedicated lane for two wheelers.
Speaking to Herald, Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica, Fr Savio Baretto, voiced concern over the “secrecy” over the issue of the NH4A highway expansion project.
“Till date, no one knows the plans of the State government on the NH4A highway expansion project. Since Old Goa has world heritage sites, there are certain rules which the State government has to follow, since one cannot have a highway within 300 meters of the world heritage monument,” he said.
“Presently, areas which are not accessible, especially the jungles along the Old Goa-Kadamba highway, are being opened up for the builders on the pretext of the highway expansion. I feel that it is the building lobby which is interested in this highway, so that the whole area along the Kadamba plateau in Old Goa can be an urban paradise.”
“We need to know what is going on and hence, the State government should put up complete information on the internet, conduct meetings with locals and take all stakeholders, including the panchayat, the church, the ASI and the people, into confidence in this regard,” Fr Barreto added.
