MARGAO: The Save Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC) hit out against the government for its alleged lack of transparency when it comes to the proposed projects under the Rs 17 crore that was sanctioned by the Central Government for the development of amenities at Old Goa under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme of the Union Tourism Ministry.
Peter Viegas, SOGAC coordinator, pointed out that at the time of the launch of this scheme, it was said by the government that this was for the exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier, popularly known as ‘Gõycho Saib', that will be held in November this year.
Viegas, however, alleged that this project has nothing to do with the exposition but instead is a part of a larger plan to bring key parts of Old Goa under the Tourism Department to facilitate various commercial projects.
SOGAC alleged that the government wants to build a Tourism Department mall in the heritage zone, which would be given to a private owner on lease. Pointing out that the mall will be called the Heritage Interpretation Centre, it will be built on a 1,000-square-metre area with various shops, a cafeteria, pay-parking, and other tourism-related activities.
Viegas lamented that this appears to be more for tourism and not Gõycho Saib’ and questioned why the government is not coming with all the details about these projects.
Moreover, SOAGAC alleged that the construction of the mall would be built within the UNESCO World Heritage Site and within the buffer zone. They gave details of the heritage structures located here.
They lamented that after the issue with the illegal bungalow and the proposed laterite resort project that they have been opposing, this is yet another trick to destroy the heritage of Old Goa.
Viegas added that if the government is serious about saving Old Goa, then it should immediately take steps to demarcate the 300-metre buffer zone, put the UNESCO World Heritage Monuments on Regional Plan 2021 (RP2021), and prepare a Master Plan with all the stakeholders, including the church and the people.
Issuing a warning that the locals would oppose the government’s plan if this is not done, Veigas added that these would be the requirements from the government before any new decisions are taken regarding future construction projects.
Regarding the exposition, Viegas said the government should focus on creating a pilgrimage centre, parking facilities, and providing other amenities to those attending the exposition.
SOGAC members also referred to reports about how the State government had converted 1 lakh square metres of land around Old Goa and questioned the intention behind this.