TEAM HERALD
PONDA: While agreeing to a beautification plan for Kranti Maidan, residents of Ponda on Saturday vehemently objected to any digging at the site to erect around 36 pillars amid fears that these pillars could impede various religious and cultural programmes at the venue.
A meeting was organised on Saturday evening to discuss the issue and those attending the meeting included former minister Joildo Aguiar, ward councillor Irvin Soares, Sunil Desai, Rajesh Verenkar, freedom fighters and citizens.
The residents complained that if the pillars are allowed to be constructed, it would leave bare minimum space where only 300 to 400 people could attend an event at the maidan.
Soares then alleged that the PWD had not taken permission for the work and added that the PMC had issued a stop work order.
“The PMC can take a decision on the issue only when the plan for the beautification work is submitted to the PMC. The PWD has not submitted this plan to the PMC,” said Soares. He said a public meeting will be convened on Monday at 4 pm in the PMC to take a decision in the matter.
People have appealed to the government to preserve the maidan to conduct cultural functions, especially since it is the last open space left in the congested city.
The PWD is reported to be planning a beautification project worth Rs 4.26 crore, which would involve 36 ornate concrete pillars at the centre, a fountain at the entrance and four lion statues on the compound walls.
PWD Minister Sudin Davalikar had recently stated that the pillars would provide information on freedom fighters and martyrs of Goa and insisted that the 400 square meters of open space could seat 1,200 people at an event.
