Draft bylaws for monuments in Goa by June 15: HC to ASI

Panaji: The Bombay high court at Goa on Wednesday directed the regional director of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), southern region, to complete preparation of the heritage bylaws for 21 centrally protected monuments in Goa by June 15. Fourteen of these monuments are in Old Goa and seven across the state.

According to the petitioners, Glean Cabral and Tahir Noronha, represented by advocate Ajay Menon, the heritage bylaws were to be prepared by 2016, and time was further extended till 2021. After that, no further extension has been granted, yet the heritage bylaws have not been finalised till date, the petitioners told the court.

The bench of justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar also directed private parties to maintain status quo and not proceed with their constructions within regulated areas of monuments in Old Goa.

The high court accepted the statement of the tourism department that the heritage centre project, within the regulated area of the Basilica Bom Jesus Church, has been shelved at this stage.

The bench also granted the petitioners liberty to press for interim reliefs in respect of the height of the Old Goa police station at the appropriate stage upon hearing the advocate general, Devidas Pangam.

The high court further directed the chief town planner (planning) to place a list of all permissions granted for constructions within protected areas and regulated areas of centrally protected monuments, particularly those where construction is yet to begin.

All fresh and pending permissions will be subject to the outcome of the PIL, the high court stated.