TEAM HERALD
PORVORIM: Renovation work of a building in Mapusa which is nearly two centuries old has raised eyebrows in the city, with an activist claiming that work was going on in preparation for shooting of a Bollywood film.
The former chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has, however, claimed that the building is being renovated as part of an ongoing process to restore the building.
“The building at the four-road junction opposite the courts and the Administracao das Comunidades building is popularly known as the old St Mary High School building. It is a heritage building though not yet notified as one. It was taken back from the Apostolic Carmel sisters by the MMC in 1994 on the pretext that the latter needed it urgently to house its offices. ,” stated Miguel Braganza.
“The silver lining was the Rs 2 crore grant by the then Digambar Kamat-led government to the MMC for its restoration under the Goa Golden Jubilee of Liberation Scheme. That was December 19, 2011. In spite of a tender issued for restoration at an estimated cost of Rs 1.66 crore. The paint and even the plaster have been stripped from its front façade in preparation for shooting of some Bollywood film,” he observed.
Braganza recalled that the Liceu (Lyceum) building built in 1833 was one of the three Lyceums in Goa.
When contacted, former Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson Sudhir Kandolker explained that the council had granted permission to a film producing company to shoot its film in the old St Mary High School building for three days from July 1.
“Since the company couldn’t complete the shooting, they were granted further extension on July 4,” Kandolker told Herald.
Responding to allegations that the paint and even the plaster had been stripped from its front façade in preparation for the Bollywood film shoot, Kandolker stated that the MMC had earlier floated tenders to renovate the building on two occasions.
“But the contractor who had bagged the tender did not start the work. As a result, the MMC issued a fresh tender and the new contractor has begun renovation work, which will cost Rs 1.59 crore and the money will be utilised from the Rs 2 crore received as part of the Goa Golden Jubilee Scheme,” Kandolker said.
“Once renovated, the MMC administrative offices will be shifted to this building,” added Kandolkar.
