PANAJI
The Save Old Goa Action Committee has petitioned Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urging him to cancel 12 major projects that threaten the Old Goa heritage site.
The committee members have warned of staging a protest if these projects are not scrapped.
The petition has been signed by nearly 8,000 people supporting the campaign as they called for a comprehensive Old Goa Master Plan to protect State monuments within this UNESCO heritage zone.
“We have collected 13,500 signatures and will continue until a master plan is in place,” said Jacqueline Fernandes, a committee member.
She apprehended that projects within 100 meters of the heritage site are allowed, it could snatch the UNESCO tag.
While CM is yet to make a statement, Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane claimed that no illegal structures exist within the 100-meter buffer zone. However, locals state the area comprises numerous illegal buildings and urged the TCP minister to conduct a thorough review.
Residents have also demanded the removal of the Director of Panchayat for failing to prevent any such projects within their village.
