The Save Old Goa Action Committee has strongly objected to the proposed construction of a new three-storey police station building in Old Goa, citing violations of heritage protection norms and concerns about increased traffic and damage to the historic site.
In a formal letter addressed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the committee stated that the proposed site lies within the buffer zone of a UNESCO World Heritage site, where construction is prohibited under the rules of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The group warned that the functioning of a major police station in the area would lead to a substantial rise in vehicular traffic, which could have a detrimental impact on the surrounding heritage monuments.
Committee members also pointed out that during the tenure of former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar, a suitable parcel of land in Old Goa had already been acquired specifically for the construction of a police station. They urged the government to revisit that plan and utilise the previously earmarked location.
“The Old Goa police station covers a vast jurisdiction covering two Assembly constituencies, from St Cruz to Cumbarjua,” the committee said. “Surely, it is possible to find an appropriate location for the new police building without endangering the integrity of Old Goa’s irreplaceable heritage.”
On Monday, members of the committee gathered at Azad Maidan in Panjim to raise public awareness about the issue and voice their protest against the government's proposal.
Speaking to the media, committee member Evaristo Rodrigues said, “The government is planning to construct a three-storey police station in a world heritage-protected area. We oppose this plan because it will increase traffic in the locality.”
Another member, Jennifer Lobo, condemned the proposed construction and reiterated the committee’s demand for a comprehensive development plan for Old Goa. “We have submitted a petition to the Chief Minister signed by over 30,000 citizens,” she said. “We are calling upon the government to first prepare a masterplan for the area before allowing any construction.”
Local resident Jacqueline Fernandes echoed these concerns, stating that the structure falls within the buffer zone and contradicts heritage conservation principles. “Old Goa is a UNESCO site. Allowing this police station could set a precedent for other high-rise constructions. There are alternatives, such as building a police outpost in Ribandar,” she said.
Separately, Old Goa resident Glean Cabral has written to the National Monuments Authority (NMA) and the Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department objecting to the reported approval of a G+2 (ground plus two floors) building within the regulated zone of a centrally protected monument. Cabral cited the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 2010, and noted that the proposed construction site – Survey No 117/0 – is within 300 metres of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a UNESCO-recognized monument. Cabral questioned the legality of the approval, stating there is no public record of any such exception being granted by the NMA for a G+2 structure in this zone.
Committee convenor Peter Viegas also called on the government to shift the proposed building outside the 300-meter buffer zone. “This new building is intended to serve the constituencies of St Cruz and Cumbarjua. It need not be located in the heritage core of Old Goa,” he said. “The existing police station is a much smaller structure. Allowing a large new development in this zone could eventually jeopardise the site’s World Heritage designation.”