Dears,
The draft Regional Framework Plan for Goa 2021 is really an impressive
publications. Not only is it well written, with proper language editing, but it
is also well illustrated with photographs [old and new] that will warm the
cockles of any Niz Goykar's heart. It could well be a "coffee table"
publication that the owner can be proud of possessing.
What it practically proposes to do with Goa's land ... hills, forests, fields,
khazans, beaches, sea cost and river banks .... is another story. What it
leaves unsaid about the amended [vide Goa Town & Country Planning (Amendment)
Act, 2008, passed unopposed on 25 March, 2008, and notified in the Official
Gazette on 13 May, 2008] Section 16 and 16A of the TCP Act, 1974, that allows
the Central and Local Government to side-step the entire Regional Plan and the
process thereto, speaks louder than words. The proposed Sports Complex of
Rs.500 crores for the 36th Natioanl Games, 2011, at Goa Velha-Neura-Batim is
only the tip of the ice-berg ....Ooops! "Hill Cutting" under Section 17A of the
TCP Act,1974, as amended in 1995 .... that will be a Government "Project" so
dear to both, the Minister for Sports and the local MLA cum Vice Chairman of
GSIDC that will execute the project. The foundation stones are already there
...well and truly laid on my birthday, 12
April, 2008. The St. Andre MLA and I apparently share something ...the
birthdate! ;-)
Incidentally, the once majestic three-storeyed St.Anne's Church at
Santan-Talaulim, the ancient capital of Gopakapattna [Agacaim, Goa Velha,
Pilar] and the Raj beed [royal road] leading from Gopakkapatna to Cidade the
Goa/Brahmapuri, are all in St. Andre Constituency which will soon boast of a
Sports City in addition to the Housing Estates with a view of the Mandovi or
the Zuari rivers from the Kadamba Plateau [Ribandar, Fondvem, Chimbel, Neura,
Mandur] now served by the NH-4A bypass built in 2004 and Curca road broadened
last year. The last link in the triangle ... the Pilar to Ela and Old Goa road
.... already boasts of a foundation stone laid on 12 April, 2008, by the Aam
Admi CM in the august presence of the Vice Chairman of GSIDC and MLA of St.
Andre.
Goa Velha will be the place to photograph for the glossy Regional Framework
Plan for Goa 2031 Anno Domini or 23 years After Present [A.P.] or Saka 1953, if
you prefer the Scythian [Saka] calendar!
Mog asundi.
Miguel
Glory days again for ex-capitals?
24 Sep 2008, 0431 hrs IST, Paul Fernandes,TNN
PANAJI: If the state government exercises its political will, Goa’s three
former capitals— Chandrapur in Chandor, Gopakapattan in Goa Velha and Agassaim,
and Cidade de Goa in Old Goa — could be converted into archaeological parks.
Along with these, two other ancient passages may be promoted as heritage
trails.
In a report containing several heritage-friendly recommendations, the Task
Force on the draft Regional Plan 2021 has suggested archaeological parks in the
three former capitals, a move that has delighted historians and heritage
enthusiasts.
“This is a welcome step as not much has been done to highlight the significance
of the Kadamba capitals,” said Pratibha Pradhan, a history lecturer.
“The rich antiquity of Goa is proved by these three ancient capitals and it is
our duty to preserve them along with archaeological remains,” said Percival
Noronha, a heritage lover.
Excavations carried out in Chandor, the Kadamba capital, by Fr Henry Heras of
St Xavier’s College, Mumbai in the thirties and more recently by Archaeological
Survey of India uncovered Kadamba period coins, statues and earthenware.
Gopakapattan, a port city comprising areas of Goa Velha and Agassaim, was also
a Kadamba capital. It was here that the Kadambas moved after River Kushavati,
partially circling Chandor, showed signs of siltation. No excavations have been
carried out in this area, though NIO had planned an underwater study.
Old Goa— the church complex today a world heritage site —was a vast city with
inner and outer fortifications. Though much of its area has been lost to
constructions, there still exist untouched tracts along the river front. The
ASI has plans to excavate and explore the ruins of the old arsenal, some 200
metres in front of the church of St Francis of Assisi.ENDS
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