MAPUSA
The much-anticipated Ravindra Bhavan project in Bardez remains stuck in limbo due to the ongoing deadlock between the government and the Cunchelim comunidade over the transfer of land.
Nearly two years after the decision to relocate the project from the site opposite the Bodgeshwar Temple to Cunchelim, no significant progress has been made.
The project, which is seen as a crucial cultural infrastructure development, has been caught in a tussle between the local comunidade and the Department of Art and Culture.
While the Cunchelim comunidade had earlier given its consent for the project, it had also set certain terms and conditions that are awaiting government approval.
Director of the Department of Art and Culture, Sagun Velip, stated that the comunidade had yet to formally transfer the land to the department.
“We want to proceed with the Ravindra Bhavan project, but it has to be a collective decision with all parties in agreement. The comunidade should freely hand over the land to us,” Velip said.
The Cunchelim comunidade had proposed to allocate around 20,000 square meters of its land for the project, contingent on specific conditions.
Attorney of the Cunchelim comunidade, Michael Carrasco, noted that once the government approves these terms, the proposal will be presented at the general body meeting for ratification.
It appears that the delay in reaching a consensus over these terms and conditions is hindering the project's progress.
Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza, who has been actively advocating for the project, emphasized the importance of securing the land at the earliest.
“The Art and Culture Minister has assured that the work on Ravindra Bhavan will commence as soon as the land is officially in government possession. The delay is a technical issue, and as soon as the general body of the Cunchelim comunidade makes a decision, the project can move forward,” he said.
Expressing hope for a resolution, D’Souza added, “I urge the new Cunchelim comunidade committee to convene the general body meeting at the earliest and facilitate the land transfer so that this long-pending project can finally take off.”
The fate of the Ravindra Bhavan project now hinges on the comunidade's final decision, with stakeholders keenly awaiting a breakthrough to set the wheels in motion.
