MARGAO: Thousands of Goans, including religious and political leaders and senior citizens on Sunday thronged Margao to sign the petition opposing the luxury eco-resort in the heritage area of Ela, Old Goa and vowed not to allow the proposed project to come at the site.
Speaking to reporters, citizens accused the government and the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (IPB) of trying to divide the Goans on a community basis. So far nearly 5,000 persons have signed the petition.
It is pertinent to note that citizens under the Save Old Goa Action Committee had already voiced their objections to the proposed project as it falls within the vicinity of religious areas, besides heritage sites.
Speaking to reporters after signing the petition, Fr Savio Fernandes said that the proposed hotel project falls within the protected site, in the vicinity of the heritage and religious sites.
“People from across Goa need to come out and voice their objections to the proposed project,” he appealed.
Expressing shock that IPB has granted approval to the project despite the government declaring the protected area as heritage site, a citizen Peter Viegas said, “The proposed project encroaches significantly within the 100m no-development zone surrounding the State Protected Heritage Site of Chapel of the Monte. We fail to understand that the government has applied its mind without taking into consideration the laws formed by the State. The government should have given it a thought before granting approval to any project at the site, which is considered an important religious site across the globe.”
He pledged that Goans will oppose the proposed project till it is scrapped.
Viegas said that over 5,000 citizens have signed the petition in Margao opposing the proposed project at Ela, Old Goa, in the Chapel’s vicinity.
He questioned: “We don’t understand why the government is trying to destroy the importance of the Old Goa heritage site?
Anthony D’Silva, a social activist, questioned the government as to why unnecessary projects are being surrounded around the holy place of Saint Francis Xavier at Old Goa.
“Is there a big master plan to destroy the sanctity of Saint Francis Xavier? First the garbage treatment plant at Old Goa, then illegal bungalow at Old Goa, helipad too at Old Goa and now a new project at Old Goa,” he said and added that the resort project is being approved at the time the illegal bungalow is still standing at the Old Goa.
“Don’t wait for boiling point,” he warned.
Condemning the IPB’s decision, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said that his party will fully support the Goans in fighting against the proposed project at Ela, Old Goa.
“Such a project cannot be allowed at the religious and heritage site such as Old Goa. It seems that the government is trying to divide the people of Goa on a community basis,” he alleged.
MLA Altone D’Costa, Congress president Amit Patkar and several others too voiced their strong objections to the proposed eco-resort at Ela, Old Goa.
Yuri, Altone, Cruz Silva and Amit Patkar also signed the petition.
