OLD GOA
Noted architect Edgar Ribeiro of Charles Correa Foundation, who visited heritage lovers sitting on fast satyagraha at Old Goa, on Saturday, informed that the controversial structure was illegal and hoped it is pulled down.
When questioned by The Goan on the way forward on the issue, Ribeiro said there are two ways to go about it. “First of all, the agitation should continue until the structure is pulled down. If we have been able to pull down huge multi-storeyed buildings in Kochi, this can be pulled down because it is totally illegal,” Ribeiro said
“Secondly, the heritage sites should be shown in the Regional Plan. It is not an issue of 100m or 300m lines, or CRZ. This is one of the 21 monuments which have been protected under ASI,” he stated.
“The ASI Act was introduced here in 1968 and until the Central government changes it, it remains so. The Act provides protection to a monument, a site, a remain. So, this is a site which is protected by ASI, on which violation has taken place. Violation within 100m or 300m line is bad enough but doing it in a protected site is shocking. And I am glad that this is brought out by the people,” Ribeiro pointed out.
“It is very important, at least for my profession, to force the heritages sites on the RP, which the Chief Secretary had promised us. We, the Charles Correia Foundation, are volunteering to do it. It has been stalled for the moment and needs to be pushed forward.”
Ribeiro said the protected area in Old Goa is big and it needs to be shown with survey numbers.
“Besides, 100m line and 300m line are additional areas where no development and limited development respectively are allowed. CRZ areas should be shown and also the state archaeology sites. If these are shown on the plan, such things cannot happen because the plan is statutory. Then more than 70 percent of the battle will be won,” Ribeiro added.
“Certainly, you can have development around it, not wherever one wants,” he said.
Ribeiro also informed that the structures in Old Goa are in danger because the layout is such that the water flows down and if the passages are blocked, the water collects near the monuments endangering them.
