OLD GOA
The Save Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC) has reiterated that the site where the Tourism Department project is planned comes under the prohibited zone.
Addressing reporters in Old Goa on Tuesday, SOGAC coordinator Peter Viegas pointed out that there is a signboard installed by the ASI itself to demarcate the prohibited zones.
"Right now, we are standing at the spot where the board is located and the work on the project has begun within the prohibited zone," Viegas said.
"Therefore it is our demand that the project should be scrapped," Viegas stated and informed that till the time that a Master Plan is not prepared for Old Goa, no projects should be allowed to come up.
"This is the reason why we are demanding that there should be a Master Plan for Old Goa which will not allow projects in heritage zones," Viegas opined.
When questioned about them stating that the project is a mall, Viegas informed that the project is given the name 'heritage interpretation centre' but has amenities for entertainment of the tourists.
"So the project name is misleading, which is the reason why we called it a mall," he clarified.
On the Tourism Minister and the Tourism Director's statements that the Church authorities of Basilica of Bom Jesus were taken into confidence on the project, Viegas questioned whether the Church is the sole authority to take decision in the matter while further questioning whether any approval was given in writing.
