SOGAC Opposes New Construction in Protected Old Goa Zone

Tensions are escalating in Old Goa as the Save Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC) warns that a proposed multi-storey police station within the buffer zone of the UNESCO World Heritage site could threaten its international heritage status. While not against the idea of a police station, the group firmly opposes any large-scale concrete construction near the protected Basilica of Bom Jesus.

The Save Old Goa Action Committee has raised alarm over reported plans to construct a new multi-storey police station within the sensitive buffer zone surrounding Old Goa’s UNESCO World Heritage monuments. The committee fears such a move could invite international scrutiny and potentially risk the delisting of the revered site, home to the iconic Basilica of Bom Jesus.

Committee members clarified that their opposition is not against the presence of law enforcement but the scale and design of the proposed structure. They argue that building a concrete facility—even one or two floors high—violates heritage norms that prioritise preservation and architectural harmony. SOGAC insists any new construction must respect global guidelines governing development near protected monuments.

While earlier statements from local representatives suggested a two-storey plan, subsequent opposition led to conflicting claims about whether the project would now be a single-floor structure. SOGAC members argue that the ambiguity in the project’s scope reflects a lack of transparency and due consultation with local communities and heritage experts who have long advocated for sustainable preservation.

Residents also point to past illegal constructions in the area, which they claim have already compromised the cultural integrity of Old Goa. According to SOGAC, allowing this precedent to continue with government-backed development will weaken the safeguards that UNESCO status is meant to enforce. They assert that any new facility, if deemed necessary, should be constructed beyond the 300-metre protected buffer zone.

As Goa balances heritage conservation with modern infrastructural needs, the controversy underscores growing calls for inclusive, transparent urban planning near protected zones. SOGAC’s warning highlights the delicate relationship between development and preservation. Unless authorities reconsider the location and scale of the proposed structure, Old Goa’s global heritage standing could be at stake.

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SOGAC Opposes New Construction in Protected Old Goa Zone