PANJIM: People of Old Goa are unhappy about the government moving the Old Goa Police Station to the Exposition Secretariat site. People and activists have been demanding for a Master plan to prevent illegal constructions. Herald Medi asked people, “By locating the police station in front of the Basilica and not drawing up Old Goa Master Plan, is the Government serious about the Old Goa heritage site?”
If it's temporary, it's good as long as the new police station is coming up. When such a big issue of the master plan is hanging over your head, why is Vishwajit Rane not formulating the master plan. If a poor man builds a house without a plan, you call it illegal. (But without a master plan) it is easy to do illegalities. Once the master plan is made it won’t be possible to do illegalities. At least the law will follow them.
Anthony D’Silva, Social Activist
I don’t think the Government has understood the value of the Old Goa UNESCO Heritage site. Otherwise what is the explanation for all the illegalities that are going on? Is this happening without the connivance of the government? It is not possible. Bringing the police station to the exposition secretariat site, when it was assured that the office would be demolished. Now they are saying it is temporary till the police station building is built. The building will not come up for another two and half years. Govt seems to have lost the sensitivity of the Old Goa heritage site.
Trajano D'Mello Political Commentator
The temporary structure was erected for a particular purpose, ie for the Exposition. As per the permission of the Archeological Survey of India, it was only for 45 days and it would be demolished thereafter within 10 days. Four months later it is still not demolished. Now they have given it as a temporary structure for the Old Goa police station. It is necessary that the ASI answer for this because it is within the 200 metre zone of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Mariano Ferrao Social Activist