PANJIM, MARCH 12
Renovation work in an ancestral house, allegedly to set up a bar and restaurant, in the heritage precincts of Rua do Natal street in the quiet by-lanes of Fontainhas, here, has come under the scanner of the residents of the area.
At 11.45 am on Thursday many of the residents, along with their ward representative Rudresh Chodankar, met the Corporation of the City of Panjim Commissioner Melwyn Vaz, who had to conduct an inspection and ask the consultant on site to stop the work.
In a representation to the CCP, the residents pointed out that the venture by one Sheela Dhodi, known to be from Delhi and having top connections, violated the basic rules laid down for a heritage conservation zone like Fontainhas.
The alleged bar and restaurant, named Casa Fontainhas, is coming up within 100 metres of the St Sebastian Chapel and is situated very close to the holy Natalanchi Saibinn revered by the residents of the area. The Mary Immaculate Girls High School also lies in close vicinity.
Councillor Rudresh Chodankar said the residents were facing acute parking problems and the restaurant would aggravate the situation further. Residents, who are saying a no-no to the project, said having a bar and restaurant would disturb the peace of their area.
The consultant at the site feigned ignorance when pointed out that the place was a conservation area and any renovation work had to be referred to the conservation committee.
The residents complained that the Viva Panjim restaurant, which is situated close to the new venture, had set up chairs and tables on a public pathway. The same had resulted in altercations between the residents and customers on many occasions.
They said these and other two commercial ventures in the heritage precincts were causing immense parking problems to the residents.
Chodankar said he would take up the matter at the CCP meeting and adopt a resolution to stop any renovation work for commercial activity in the area which violated the basic tenets of conservation. He said they had completely stopped film shootings in the area.
