OLD GOA
Residents of Old Goa have petitioned the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) to revoke all licences issued to the structure inside the heritage precinct at Old Goa and to initiate the process to demolish the structure.
The locals were forced to submit a memorandum to the CMO on Wednesday as they did not get an appointment with the chief minister, despite several requests in the past.
Speaking after submitting the memorandum, Peter Viegas said they had been trying to get an appointment with the CM to bring to his notice how various government departments gave approvals to the structure within close proximity to the world heritage monument of the St Cajetan church, in gross violations of all rules and regulations.
“Today also, we could not get an appointment and hence, we submitted the memorandum to the CMO. We will now submit the memorandum to all departments involved in issuing licences to the structure and appeal to them to revoke the same, failing which we will be forced to hold a bigger agitation,” Viegas said.
Another local, Glen Cabral, accused the government of threatening the heritage of Old Goa by approving unnecessary projects.
“They have already approved projects like the Bainguinim waste plant and the helipad, which are a threat to the world-famous churches in Old Goa and now, they are approving projects within the heritage zones,” Cabral opined while alleging a larger conspiracy in destroying the heritage of Old Goa.
Cabral also criticised the government for including Old Goa areas in the Greater Panaji Planning and Development Authority (GPPDA), despite an assurance to the contrary.
“We were assured that Old Goa areas would be excluded from the GPPDA but contrary to the assurance, parts of Old Goa are included in GPPDA. The historic pre-Portuguese fortress wall of Old Goa now faces threat from land sharks,” Cabral said.
