Landslides put Baga Jesuit retreat house at risk

Calangute: Heavy rain over the past two months had led to parts of the hillock collapsing near Xavier Retreat House at Baga , Arpora.

Director of the retreat house Fr Jovito D’Souza told reporters that there have been constant landslides . “On August 3, there was a major landslide blocking the access road. We informed minister and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who sent an earthmover to clear the mud.

However, another landslide occurred on Tuesday,” D’Souza said. “Now, the retaining wall that was built to prevent the hill from collapsing has started sinking and has also tilted, and there is a danger that it may collapse on the access road.”

D’Souza said that it may also lead to the hillside collapsing and endangering the retreat house itself.

The retaining wall was built around six years ago and the access road was constructed in place of a flight of steps that led to the retreat house.

“I will be requesting the North Goa collector and the PWD to form a team for a site inspection at the earliest and take the necessary steps,” Lobo said.