A contentious proposal to construct a resort in Old Goa has encountered staunch opposition from the local community, specifically from the Save Old Goa Action Committee. Members of this committee have vehemently objected to the project, emphasizing the architectural significance of the area.
Despite receiving approximately 17,000 objections from local residents, the government proceeded to approve the construction of the resort, a decision vehemently contested by the Save Old Goa Action Committee.
On January 16, members of the committee visited the state's Investment Promotion Board (IPB) office, raising questions about the approval process for the alleged illegal resort project. The controversy stems from a notice issued by the board in October 2023, inviting objections to the project within 30 days.
The committee members expressed dissatisfaction, asserting that despite numerous objections, the IPB board failed to provide assurances of the project's rejection by December 2023. In an attempt to seek transparency, the Save Old Goa Action Committee filed a Right to Information (RTI) request on October 13, 2023, seeking details about the project, but their queries remain unanswered, prompting the committee to file an appeal for information.
Peter Viegas, the coordinator of the committee, voiced frustration over the lack of response, questioning the project's impact on the historical Our Lady of the Mount Chapel, which, according to activists, remained closed not for maintenance but due to the nearby resort project. The committee alleged that the resort project is utilizing laterite stones to imitate the architectural style of the basilica.
Viegas raised concerns about the church being inaccessible to the public for a year without any construction activity, highlighting the need for transparency in this matter.
Officials from the archaeology department clarified that the church's roof underwent repairs in the first phase, costing Rs 1.17 crore, utilizing teakwood. Further beautification work is scheduled for the upcoming financial year.
Fredy Dias, the secretary of the Save Old Goa Action Committee, called for the cancellation of the project and the formulation of a comprehensive new master plan for the redevelopment of Old Goa. He also questioned the expertise of board members, pointing to the challenging project site characteristics, including a 10,000-square-meter area with trees, a steep slope, and its location within the buffer of the heritage zone.
