Team Herald
MARGAO: The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has categorically stated that it has not issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the implementation and execution of the proposed PRASAD scheme at Old Goa.
The project has been in the eye of a storm this week, with protestors alleging that unsupervised excavation and construction work was being carried out at the site where historical artefacts like cannon balls have been discovered. The Se Old Goa Village Panchayat also stated that it was ‘clueless’ about the project. Now the Church’s statement has put the government project on a stickier wicket than ever before.
The Church clarification came in response to reports suggesting that the Basilica and the Archdiocese were taken into confidence while finalising plans for a facilitation centre for tourists under the PRASAD scheme.
Fr Noel D’Costa, the Financial Administrator of the Archdiocese, stated that he had represented the Church in meetings regarding the PRASAD scheme. He explained that once the proposals were initially presented, they were thoroughly examined by senior architects, engineers and heritage experts associated with the Church. Their evaluations focused on ensuring that any interventions would not compromise the sanctity of the spaces. Based on these assessments, certain elements – such as barricades to regulate entry, Segways and e-autos for movement, water ATMs, CCTV cameras, external lighting, baggage scanners, metal detectors, self-propelled sweeping machines, dust bins, landscaping, seating arrangements, and informational signage – were considered
acceptable.
However, Fr D’Costa emphasised that the Church had serious objections regarding the location, scale, style and relevance of the proposed Heritage Interpretation Centre, as well as the planned parking lot.
The Archdiocese particularly flagged concerns over the Arsenal site, where the parking facility was planned.
It was suggested that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should conduct a survey to identify and demarcate potential ruins and remains. The Church also recommended that any parking facility be designed with removable and permeable materials to safeguard underlying archaeology and facilitate groundwater absorption.
Despite modifications by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (GTDC), which scaled down the Heritage Interpretation Centre from a ground-plus-two structure to a lower-ground-plus-ground-floor design, the Church remained unconvinced. Fr D’Costa stated that during a meeting on June 29, 2022, he had explicitly conveyed the Church’s serious reservations and objections to the project. Nevertheless, on September 14, 2022, GTDC sought an NOC from the Archdiocese for the scheme’s implementation. Since the Church’s advisors were not satisfied with the building’s massing, façade, and relevance, the NOC was not granted.
The Archdiocese has now firmly reiterated that, contrary to recent reports, it has not provided its approval for the PRASAD scheme’s implementation and execution. The Church remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving the sanctity and heritage of Old Goa and ensuring that any proposed developments align with its values and concerns.
CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH
According to Fr Noel D’Costa, the Financial Administrator of the Archdiocese, the Church had serious objections regarding the location, scale, style and relevance of the proposed Heritage Interpretation Centre, as well as the planned parking lot
The Archdiocese particularly flagged concerns over the Arsenal site, where the parking facility was planned. It was suggested that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should conduct a survey to identify and demarcate potential ruins and remains
The Church also recommended that any parking facility be designed with removable and permeable materials to safeguard underlying archaeology and facilitate groundwater absorption
Despite GTDC scaling down the Heritage Interpretation Centre from a ground-plus-two structure to a lower-ground-plus-ground-floor design, Fr D’Costa stated that during a meeting on June 29, 2022, he had explicitly conveyed the Church’s serious reservations