OLD GOA
The Old Goa locals have voiced their opposition to the helicopter rides over the world heritage monuments while expressing fears over the safety of the monuments in case any mishap occurs.
Raising the issue at the Se Old Goa gram sabha, on Sunday, a local Glen Cabral informed that the safety of the world heritage monuments is being compromised by allowing the helicopter riders over them.
“If any mishap occurs, it will endanger the monuments. Are we going to wait for that to happen?” Cabral questioned and urged the panchayat authorities to write to the company operating the heli-rides not to fly the helicopters over the monuments.
“Also there is a need to declare the airspace around the monuments as a no-fly zone,” Cabral added and urged that the authorities concerned be sent a memorandum to this effect.
He also questioned why the permission from the panchayat was not sought while starting the heli-ride services.
Cabral then urged the panchayat authorities to write to the company seeking explanation over not intimating the panchayat about the same.
The issue of Mhadei was also raised with the locals unanimously resolving to oppose the approval of Karnataka’s DPR by the Centre. The panchayat authorities have been urged to send the resolution to all the authorities concerned citing opposition of Old Goa locals.
Cabral also raised the issue of film shooting in Old Goa which inconveniences the locals and which is being done without informing the panchayat.
“The ESG should intimate the local panchayat about any permission granted for film shooting and it should not be at the cost of inconvenience to the locals. Also, the revenue earned by ESG has to be shared with the panchayat,” Cabral demanded.
Responding on the issue, sarpanch Gonsalves said that the panchayat would write to the ESG on the concerns raised by the locals.
The issue of unauthorized fish and other businesses being undertaken near the overbridge was also raised with local Bernadette Fernandes stating that traffic problems occur in the area due to parking of vehicles on the road by the customers.
Fernandes further urged the panchayat to initiate action against the unauthorized businesses for which the sarpanch informed that the panchayat has already undertaken inspection of the same and further necessary action would be initiated.
The issue of moveable carts being converted into permanent ones was also raised with the locals seeking action against such carts.
