Govt Promises Improved Facilities, Rules Out Mall in Old Goa

Rapid Summary

• Protests were held on Sunday against the tourism department’s development project at Old Goa, which is a UNESCO world heritage site.
• The government clarified that no mall is being constructed in Old Goa under the proposed plan.
• The project is part of the Center’s PRASHAD scheme aimed at enhancing facilities for visitors, including parking spaces, an information centre, and improved monument lighting.
• Permissions have been obtained from relevant authorities such as the forest department, Town and Country Planning (TCP) department, and National Monument Authority (NMA). A no objection certificate (NOC) from the panchayat has also been applied for.
• Work was temporarily halted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) after cannon balls were discovered during excavation to allow proper documentation of these archaeological finds.
• Opposition leaders raised concerns regarding this issue in the state assembly during budget session discussions.

!Old Goa to get better facilities

Indian Opinion Analysis

The clarification from authorities underscores their commitment to balancing conservation efforts with developmental goals at a historically meaningful site like Old Goa. While protests raise valid concerns about potential impacts on heritage areas, the government’s reliance on established permissions and oversight by agencies like ASI indicates adherence to statutory processes. Though, discoveries such as cannon balls signal deeper archaeological importance that may influence future planning efforts or delay timelines for development projects.

Ensuring transparent stakeholder engagement throughout remains crucial to mitigating public unease while maintaining focus on infrastructure improvement through initiatives like PRASHAD-especially given its broader implications for pilgrimage tourism in India.

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