CHIMBEL LOSING CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS LAND MARK DATING BACK TO PRE-PORTUGUESE ERA

PANJIM: Raising apprehensions about the loss of a cultural and religious landmark in Chimbel dating back to pre-Portuguese times, locals have requested the town and country planning (TCP) department to revoke the approval granted to a new construction near the Devi Chimelkarin baim (well).

"The well has been enclosed within the construction site," local resident Tukaram Kunkolkar alleged. Locals had raised the issue with the Chimbel village panchayat after some activity was seen at the site in November 2010. "We had been assured by the panchayat then that it would take necessary precautions to protect the age-old well in case any approval for any project is granted," Kunkolkar added.

In its memorandum to the TCP, Chimbel Gram Seva Kala and Sanskrutik Manch has alleged that the promoter of the project has not revealed the existence of the traditional well while seeking approvals.

The Goa Land Development and Building Regulations 2010 clearly states that a builder has to disclose all existing wells in the property. "There are people's religious sentiments attached to this well and it needs to be protected," Rumaldo Carvalho of the Manch said. The palanquin of the deity arrives in Chimbel from Marcel during the summer and is taken around the village, including to the well, by locals, he explained.

Moreover, locals draw water from the well as part of their cultural tradition, pointed out Kunkolkar. "The old look of the well has been defaced as a new parapet wall has been built around the water source," he added.  "The TCP should revoke the licences granted for the project for misrepresentation of facts," a villager asserted. Chimbel sarpanch Chandrakant Kunkolkar declined to comment on the issue. "The matter is pending in the court," he said. A TCP source said the matter is being looked into, but declined to comment further.