Bishop of Udupi Catholic Diocese Most Rev. Gerald Isaac Lobo, along with Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, laid the foundation stone for the Infant Jesus Church at Pilar near Shirva on Thursday.
According to a press release issued by the diocese here, speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sorake said the work of widening the road from Athrady to Bajpe airport was going on at a cost of Rs. 15 crore. This would improve connectivity to the airport. The Katapady-Shirva road will be upgraded at a cost of Rs. 8.5 crore, and would be extended later up to Belman. The roads in Pilar region too will be developed, he said. The Catholic educational institutions had imparted quality education to the students of the district and the government had allocated Rs. 125 crore for the welfare of the Christian community, he said. Presiding over the function, Dr. Lobo said the inauguration of the new church will be held in January 2018 during the feast of Infant Jesus. He appreciated the efforts of the Salesian community in their effortless service in Pilar. Fr. Stany Tauro, parish priest of Our Lady of Health Church, Shirva, delivered the keynote address. Valerian Machado, convener of Pilar Chapel Committee, welcomed the gathering, and Fr. Simao Fernandes, priest in-charge of Infant Jesus Chapel, proposed the vote of thanks.
