The two legislators representing the commercial capital, Digambar Kamat and Vijai Sardesai have supported the restoration of the old Margao municipal building, with the Fatorda MLA in particular willing to take the initiative to tap his contacts in the corporate world to fund the restoration work. He has also offered to take the lead to engage and negotiate with the land owners and tenants for an amicable solution.
When Herald contacted the Margao MLA on the two sites of heritage and historical importance lying in ruins, Kamat said that he fully supported the idea of restoring the old municipal building to its pristine glory. “Once, late Bebe Costa had approached me with a concept to restore the old municipal building with his own funds. He only wanted the government to give certain approvals and NOCs. But, nothing could materialise, Bebe died and the matter could not move ahead”, Kamat recalled. He said either the government or government agencies can step in and take up the restoration work of the old municipal building.
As far as the ancestral house of Dr Francis Luis Gomes is concerned, Kamat said since the house is in possession of a private party, the question of restoration of the house should be discussed with the owner.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said he has had discussions with DMA Elvis Gomes, historian Prajal Sakhardande and others on how to restore the old municipal building. “All these people sounded very positive. I have offered to sit down with the building owner and the tenants and work out a solution. The building can be converted into a museum or a town hall”, he said, while saying that the government should also extend its support and cooperation to restore the glory of the old municipal building. The Fatorda MLA also supported the idea of restoring the ancestral house of Dr Francis Luis Gomes at Colmorod.
