It is learnt that members of the Save Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC) on Monday reportedly strongly objected to the proposed construction of a three-storey building for a police station in Old Goa citing violation of the heritage protection norms as the project site falls within the UNESCO World Heritage buffer zone. As per rules of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) no construction is permitted in such protected areas. It is argued that vehicular movement will increase due to the proposed police station which will lead to traffic congestion thereby adversely affecting heritage structures. It is learnt that suitable land in Old Goa which is outside the buffer zone had already been acquired specifically for the construction of a police station. It is learnt that the new building is intended to serve the constituencies of St Cruz and Cumbarjua. Hence a site outside the 300-metre buffer zone can be earmarked for the same. However the biggest concern is that such a building will set a wrong precedent for more high-rise buildings to come up in the protected area. The government which speaks of protecting heritage sites needs to walk the talk.
