The Town and Country Planning (TCP) department in Goa has approved seven zoning proposals within the Regional Plan for Goa 2021 and the Outline Development Plan for the Calangute-Candolim Planning Area 2025. These changes will affect a total of 2 lakh square meters in the state, including a significant development project by Inorbit Malls India, a subsidiary of K Raheja Corporation. The company plans to convert orchard land near Old Goa, including land that houses a heritage trail running through Panelim village, into a commercial property.
The approval grants Inorbit Malls permission to convert 23,497 square meters of orchard and natural cover land for its project. However, the TCP department has set conditions for the zoning change, requiring a report from the state forest department and ensuring the preservation of the heritage trail that runs through the area.
In response to concerns about potential damage to the area’s cultural and historical integrity, the Save Old Goa Action Committee has submitted 34,170 petitions to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The committee is calling for immediate action to halt illegal activities and projects that threaten Old Goa’s UNESCO World Heritage status.
Jackleen Fernandes, a member of the committee, condemned the ongoing destruction near the Basilica of Bom Jesus, saying that large-scale development projects are jeopardizing the site’s heritage. She urged citizens to join a protest on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 4:00 pm in front of the Basilica to stand against further damage to the site. The committee is demanding the implementation of a Master Plan to protect the region for future generations.