The Opposition on Monday raised the issue of an allegedly illegal bungalow located within 100 metres of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Old Goa, triggering uproar in the Assembly and forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for 10 minutes.
Leader of the Opposition charged that the bungalow was not an isolated case, alleging that “there are another 54 illegal structures in the heritage zone.” The Opposition questioned the government’s priorities, asking “why the government is protecting illegal structures instead of safeguarding Goa’s heritage”.
While Chief Minister Sawant responded that the matter is sub judice, the Opposition continued its protest. Ruling party MLA Rudolf Fernandes also weighed in, urging the government to “prepare a Master Plan for Old Goa by taking all stakeholders into confidence” and called for the buffer zone to be clearly marked in the Regional Plan 2021.
In response to a starred question by Fernandes, Minister for Archaeology Subhash Phal Dessai listed the protected monuments in Old Goa under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Goa Circle. He said, “There are seven churches designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Church and Convent of St Francis of Assisi, Church of St Augustine, Church of Lady of Rosary, Chapel of St Catherine, and Chapel of St Cajetan.”
He added that 21 Centrally Protected Monuments and sites of national importance also fall under ASI jurisdiction.
Unhappy with the reply, Opposition members displayed posters of the illegal bungalow when the House reconvened.
Meanwhile, the State government’s plan to develop a heritage interpretation centre at the Arsenal area in Old Goa has stalled following the discovery of six cannonballs during excavation. A subsequent ASI investigation revealed that the site could yield more cultural relics, and the cannonballs have since been taken into ASI custody.
Reacting to the development, Save Old Goa Action Committee coordinator Peter Viegas stated, “We demand that no construction be allowed in the World Heritage Site at Old Goa till a comprehensive Master Plan is prepared. There should be no further concretisation either by private individuals or government. We will now file a complaint against the GTDC for using excavators and destroying the heritage site.”
Committee member and parishioner Jacklene Fernandes added, “ASI are the protectors of heritage sites and they should work to protect monuments. We don’t want to lose the World Heritage tag. We demand that government should not grant permissions to projects before preparing a Master Plan. All the temporary structures built during exposition should be razed.”
John Baptista Mascarenhas, who has filed a writ petition in the High Court against illegal constructions, has now urged the government to immediately seal the Arsenal site and prevent further damage after the ASI unearthed a treasure trove of artefacts — including ancient cannons, pottery, coins, and architectural fragments.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary and Director General of ASI, Mascarenhas called for more excavations and a comprehensive preservation plan. He also demanded that the Old Goa police station, temporarily housed in the exposition Secretariat, be relocated to avoid disturbance to the site.
“All structures built during exposition time must be demolished,” he said, warning that they could damage the historical integrity and aesthetic value of the heritage site.
Historian Prof Prajal Sakhardande stated, “The Arsenal area is a historical landmark. The government had proposed setting up a heritage interpretation centre there. We have written to the Union Ministry of Culture but have not received any response. Old Goa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and within a one-kilometre radius, no new construction is permitted. However, there is a complete violation of heritage norms and buffer zone regulations in this case. Moreover, some monuments in Old Goa remain unnotified.”