This paper reported an incident of a portion of a Portuguese era building collapsing on the MG Road in Panjim due to the incessant rains. It raised questions yet again if houses of that era were being maintained and if any maintenance work was being conducted by anyone.
Heritage activist Heta Pandit said it would be too random to state that heritage structures in the state were not being taken care of. She said this collapse was undoubtedly related to the rent act. She said “The rent is fixed and the landlord cannot maintain the property with such low rents. The landlord then decides that the only way to rebuild is to allow the property to collapse. Neither the tenant nor the landlord is interested in the upkeep of the property. It is a case of deliberate neglect”. She said when the owners were living in the property they were usually very well looked after. The problems would start when they were rented out. Since the rents could not be increased, the landlord would lose interest. There were similar cases in the past with two or three collapses having occurred in the last two year.
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Raya Shankhwalker, an architect who is interested in the history of the state as well as in conserving its heritage, felt it would be difficult to generalize since every structure had its own history. He said “The upkeep, the age of the structure, structural ability has to be looked at. Most buildings collapse and the roof is in bad shape. If water has been leaking through the collapse is imminent. A large number of houses from that era are in good shape. They are well looked after. Yes, if they are not lived in and not taken care of, deterioration will commence.” He went on to say that compared to two decades ago they were more aware with regards to heritage conservation. However he maintained the awareness and focus was not good enough in the government. He said many heritage buildings in the last 20 years were not done in the right manner. He cited the example of the Aguada fort which was not renovated in the right manner. These were structures he said which were very important and have great historical value but were treated like any other building. Raya said it would not be wrong to say that Goa does not understand how important it was for the image and welfare of the people. He said “I think a large section of our ruling class do not understand how the conservation of our heritage is important. We have inherited these structures from our forefathers and it is our responsibility to pass it down to our future generation”.
Poonam Mascarenhas an conservation architect who has authored a book called ‘Mapped Heritage of Panaji’ said many of the buildings in Panaji that were tenanted are not maintained- neither by the tenants and rent being low – nor by the owners. This was not a new factor and many have pointed this out over a decade at least. Poonam said “There is no incentive for owners and property when divided – becomes even more complex. To my mind as long as the town and country planning authority do not adopt the list of heritage and notify these- the builders lobby shall continue to play sharks and owners need to be empowered too. A sustained effort is required if we want to retain the unique identity of Goa.” She said the case in point was the Watson Hotel in Mumbai. She said notifications of heritage were one of the most long awaited steps and the first step towards conserving the built and natural heritage of any city. Only this step would ensure that the speculative development replacing the existing would be made less attractive as any interventions would have to be guided by the stipulations in the building bye laws for the Graded building.
Prajal Sakhardande historian and heritage activist went straight to the point when he said the state did not have a heritage policy in place. Prajal said “The Government hardly cares for heritage structures and their maintenance. Recently a wall of Cab de Ram fort collapsed. I would like to know what is the responsibility of Heritage conservation committee of the TCP? Just to hold a meeting and have tea I guess. Beyond that they hardly care. Abroad they love, respect, care and maintain their heritage but in Goa we have so much by way of natural heritage, historical or built Heritage but the concerned authorities don’t maintain”. He pointed out that heritage buildings were facing total neglect. He cited the example of the concrete wall on the Vaiguinim beach. In the name of the “ Smart City’’ money making project, he said they were planning to knock off the historic heritage Campal beach lighthouse. Strong protests followed. He said there was no problem building a new one but there was no need to demolish the old one. Prajal said “See how old temples and old churches are being demolished to pave way for concrete modern horrendous structures. In the name of conservation, a money making racket is on. Look what they have done to the Aguada jail complex. The historicity and heritage character of the Aguada jail of 1624 is finished bull dozed. No sensitivity towards heritage. No conscience at all. Look what they did to the Zuvem fort. Now it’s problematic to get anything conserved coz in the name of conservation, completely new interventions show up for the entire gang right from the architect to all others to make money.” He bemoaned the fact that the state’s heritage was falling. He felt it would be better not to get any monument conserved because under the garb of conservation, they were altering the monument to make money. Making hay while the sun shines, he said, seemed to be the order of the day for the architect, for the government, for the MLA and the panchayat.
Depressing thoughts undoubtedly and perhaps the youth of the state ought to get interested in ensuring this very important aspect of what makes Goa so unique in the country is not destroyed.
