PANJIM: The Directorate of Archaeology will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Goa Engineering College (GEC) for undertaking structural audit of all the protected monuments in the State.
According to the Action Taken Report (ATR) tabled on the Floor of the House, the Directorate is currently in process of drafting the MoU, which will be signed with the Civil Engineering Department of GEC.
“The structural audit of all protected monuments will be undertaken for the preparation of restoration plans,” the ATR stated. Study of vulnerability of monuments from fire mishap, point of view will be covered along with the structural audit.
There are 51 notified monuments and sites maintained by the department, which includes forts, caves, rock engravings and water tanks and hence, there is less scope for fire.
Monuments which are in living tradition and owned by other authorities such as temple committees, church committees or mosque committees are given instructions to take care of structures and antiquities from all possible mishaps including fire.
The Directorate has also decided to carry out surveys of all archaeological remains and monuments in order to notify more protected monuments and sites.
“Proposal drafting is under process for submission to National Mission on Monument and Antiquities of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI),” the ATR said.
