Goa, June 12 -- The Save Old Goa Action Committee has renewed its call for a comprehensive Master Plan for Old Goa, expressing disappointment with the Goa Government's recently announced Heritage Policy, which covers over 200 sites. The committee argues that the Heritage Policy alone is inadequate to tackle the growing problems of illegal constructions and unchecked development within the UNESCO World Heritage area of Old Goa.

Coordinator Peter Viegas pointed to a report in O Heraldo revealing that 54 illegal structures-including bungalows, a police station, a heritage interpretation centre, hotels, casinos, jetties, and unmanaged waste-have already appeared in this protected zone.

The committee has submitted more than 34,000 petitions ...