Fortification wall at Old Goa faces threat as construction work encroaches on buffer zone

PANAJI: Construction activity near the centuries-old outer fortification wall encircling Old Goa city of yore has upset some heritage lovers, as promoters of a multi-dwelling complex have allegedly encroached into the old wall’s buffer zone shown in Regional Plan (RP) 2021.
Old Goa’s boundaries, as a capital, lay a few miles away from the present limits. The fortification wall, which was extended in the 16th century by the Portuguese upon the old one built during the Adil Shahi era passed through Corlim, Banastarim, Carambolim, Bainguinim and other areas.
The multi-dwelling complex at Bainguinim lies barely 3km southeast of Old Goa’s world heritage site.Cutting through the wall at the same spot is the historic Raj Bid – a broad 65-feet paved road from the old capital to the ancient port of Gopakpatnam.
The project promoters had allegedly used part of the buffer zone, despite its clear demarcation under survey nos. 22 and 23 of Bainguinim in RP 2021, alleged Glean Cabral, an Old Goa resident.
“The wall has been recognised and marked as a heritage trial in RP 2021, making it as an eco-sensitive zone and also a historical landmark for Goa,” Cabral stated in a complaint to Old Goa panchayat.
Heritage lovers are wary about upcoming constructions and projects on the Kadamba plateau, a large part of it formed part of the old city. Abhijit Ambekar, Rohini Pande, both officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Brian Wilson, a PhD candidate from University of Chicago had carried out a mapping of the 21-km wall around the old capital and found that 11.9 km of it was still in existence about a decade back.
“The wall and buffer have been clearly marked in RP, it shows the planners’ intention to preserve and protect the ruins by marking it as a heritage and fortress trail; authorities must abide by the plan and not neglect it,” said Tahir Noronha, an architect and heritage activist.
The complainant has requested authorities to initiate action in clearing the site of debris. “The fort wall has already suffered damage and we are apprehensive that it may be damaged further while clearing debris,” Cabral said.
Old Goa panchayat administrator could not be contacted despite several efforts.