Panaji: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Tuesday informed the House that work on the Amenity Facilitation Centre at Old Goa, under the central government’s PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme, will not continue until clearance is granted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Church authorities approve it again.
The issue was raised in the House through a Calling Attention Motion by BJP MLA Rajesh Phal Desai and St. Andre MLA Viresh Borkar.
The MLAs expressed concerns after a group of citizens protested on Sunday against the project, claiming that a mall was being constructed at Old Goa, which is a UNESCO-protected heritage site.
Speaking in the House, Khaunte stated that the work on the project has been put on hold after the ASI discovered cultural deposits, including cannonballs, during the site cleaning process.
He emphasized that the project was initiated following all procedures, including ASI approval and consultations with Church authorities.
The minister explained that the facility comprises a building with a lower ground floor and a ground floor, where amenities for tourists will be created.
Addressing the protests, Khaunte highlighted that projects worth ₹300 crore were undertaken at Old Goa during the recent exposition of the relics of St. Francis Xavier.
“There was no opposition when those works were carried out. The current facilitation centre is being built at the same location where the Exposition Secretariat was constructed,” he said.
The minister assured that the Tourism Department will not proceed with the work until the ASI grants clearance and Church authorities are consulted again.
