Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Calls for stricter heritage protection in Old Goa grew louder in the Goa Legislative Assembly as Opposition leaders urged the state government to take decisive action against ongoing illegal construction activities near the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao expressed serious concern over repeated violations within the protected zones of Old Goa, despite the site’s status under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958. He urged the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister to formulate a detailed Master Plan to preserve Old Goa’s heritage structures, citing encroachments that continue to threaten the sanctity of the area.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas also pressed the government to introduce dedicated heritage bylaws, not just for Old Goa but for all culturally significant sites across the state. He emphasized the importance of ensuring strict accountability in enforcing existing laws meant to safeguard Goa’s architectural and cultural legacy.
In response, TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane informed the House that a 100-meter no-construction zone around protected monuments in Old Goa has already been notified. He assured that the government is committed to preserving the historical and cultural identity of the area and would not tolerate any illegal activity that undermines its protected status.
