PONDA: PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Tuesday announced that the Farmagudi Fort would be renovated, beautified and be made a tourist attraction by constructing a bigger Fort at a cost of Rs 38 crore. 

He said that the statue of Shivaji would be installed on renovated fort at a height of 14 metre from the existing level which would be the centre of attraction for tourists. This would attract five times more tourists to Ponda, he said. 

Dhavalikar was speaking on the birth anniversary of Shivaji at the Farmagudi Fort. On the occasion, the statue was garlanded by Dhavalikar, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, PMC Chairperson Pradeep Naik, Bandora Deputy Sarpanch Saloni Gaude. 

The dignitaries also paid rich tributes to Shivaji Maharaj stating that he worked and fought for the society. 

Condoling the death of soldiers martyred in Kashmir terror attack, Dhavalikar said that everyone should come forward and strengthen the country. 

Art and Culture Minister appealed to the youth to imbibe the ideals of Shivaji and become Shivaji for the betterment of society. 

Historian Sachin Madge delivered a lecture on Shivaji Maharaj.

Later, a huge rally was held from Faragudi to Ponda to pay tribute to Bahujan King Shivaji Maharaj. Over a thousand youth attended the rally.

Later in the evening at a press conference held at Farmagudi, Dhavalikar said that the chief minister has approved the beautification plan of Farmagudi Fort and its foundation stone would be laid soon and completed in two years time. 

He said the renovation plan would take place in two phases. In first phase, the government would spend Rs 20 crore while in the second, the government would ask fund from Central Government to the tune of Rs 20 crore for the other infrastructure of the Fort because large area of Fort would be acquired for NH widening and so in order to compensate it the government demands fund from the Union Government.  

This time, he said, the fort would have a built up area of 4931 sq mts out of the total 16000 sq mts land owned by government. It will have fountain, 4D theatre, and around 2000 people will be able to sit on the steps of the fort.

Flyover at Farmagudi: The PWD minister said that a flyover would be constructed in Farmagudi area at a height of 57.5 metres from GVM circle to the gate of PES Pharmacy College. He said the NH would be widened from Safha Masjid in Ponda to Kundaim with four lane road including Farmagudi flyover at a cost of Rs 600 crore.