PANJIM: BJP St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes on Friday, responding to the recent uproar against the proposed construction of a new Provedoria block assuming that might affect the State protected ruins of the Convent and Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Chimbel said he was kept in the dark regarding the plan.
“I was not aware about it. I was told day before yesterday, that the file went to the Deputy Town Planner at the TCP department. Soon after that we rushed….. After the committee approached me, I spoke to the concerned authority and asked how without the approval of the MLA, all this took place,” said Fernandes while speaking to the media at the spot.
A large group of people that included heritage lovers, local biodiversity representatives, priests, political leaders and activists had gathered at the site on Friday.
After inspecting the site, Fernandes gave an assurance based on his discussions with the Provedoria Minister Milind Naik that the project will come up at an adjacent location on Provedoria land, which will not affect the ruins. While the residents said this was a victory, they wanted the assurance in writing. Fernandes informed media persons that that the new plan will take into consideration the views of MCAC and the priests and will be executed as per the approval of biodiversity and forest department given that trees are likely to be cut. Fernandes also told MCAC that he would follow up on their demand for granting an access path to the site.
He added that he joined the BJP government to speed up development projects and thus, he had spoken to the Chief Minister about returning the land back to Carmelite Monastery via a proper channel, who could then take up the conservation and restoration work of the heritage site.
Aruna Wagh, the wife of former BJP St Andre (late) MLA Vishnu Wagh ripped Fernandes’ upon his admission that he was caught unaware. “On one hand, the MLA says he joined BJP for development but when there is a centrally sponsored project, he says he doesn’t know. Also, all over Goa, these kinds of projects are coming without informing the village panchayat. Why!”
Rudolf Fernandes of Congress insisted that the NOC of the Church be taken to ensure there are no future problems. While calling for awareness to be created on this issue, he added that heritage sites of all religions should be preserved.
Reportedly, the Institute of Public Assistance (Provedoria) is planning to construct a new building using central funds for a new old age home, which the residents under the banner of the Mount Carmel Conservation Association of Chimbel (MCAC) and others have been opposing strongly.
The protestors and priests have made it clear that their bone of contention was not against the project but its location, which at present, is in the same area as the ruins. This, they pointed out, will damage the fabric of the heritage site that they have been fighting hard to preserve.
A GFP member recalled that it was his party chief, Vijai Sardesai, who got the ruins, declared as a heritage site when he was the TCP Minister. He blamed present TCP Minister Chandrakant Kavelkar for not being responsible enough and letting this problematic situation arise.
