We are very indebted to PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar and his officials for having found a way out to save the compound wall of a Ribandar Chapel from demolition. That sword had been hanging for the last many years on Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Chapel at the Ribandar – Chimbel junction. It is a great relief that this issue has now been resolved and laid to rest.
The proposed plan of the State PWD Highways was strongly opposed by the local people as it would have damaged the compound wall of the chapel and in the long run the chapel itself. This centuries old chapel is a historical and heritage monument which needs to be protected and preserved for posterity. The construction of the Highway so close to the chapel would have led to heavy vehicles passing next to the chapel, resulting in huge vibration which would have damaged the structure and hurt the religious sentiments not only of the Catholic community but also our Hindu brethren who venerate Our Lady of Immaculate Conception in equal devotion. The PWD Minister after visiting the Chapel site directed the authorities to work out an alternate plan in which the proposed road is diverted on the opposite side of the chapel where ample land is available. Mr. Pauskar assured the local people that the chapel compound wall will not be touched and that it would be saved from demolition. It is so heartening that an issue has been resolved during the pandemic and the people too need to be applauded for having stood united braving COVID-19. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
