MAPUSA: Ports minister and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo informed that the Central government has sanctioned Rs 25 crore for the restoration of Aguada Jail. He announced this during an inspection of the ongoing restoration work, which is currently underway in full swing. PWD Engineer Alan Pereira, Sarpanch Blaise Fernandes, Francisco Rodriguez and panch members of Calangute and Candolim village panchayats and others were also present.
He further informed that the restoration work will include restoration of all the structures and outer walls of the jail, the prison cells, the chapel and temple at the jail premises.
“Aguada jail is part of Aguada fort, which is a 450-year-old monument. Restoration of this project was the need of the hour. I thank former Chief Minister (late) Manohar Parrikar and former Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral, who understood the purpose of restoration of this fort”.
He further added, “Restoration of this jail will take forward the history of Goa to the next generation, who would prefer going and seeing it, as it was part of the freedom struggle instead of only reading about it in books”.
He also pointed out that life-size statues of freedom fighters such as that of Ram Manohar Lohia, Hirve Guruji and others who were jailed there, will be put up. He said he has asked GTDC to display them on the first floor of the jail as part of an effort to create awareness about their role in the freedom struggle.
He also announced that the part of the first floor will be dedicated to Parrikar and that his collections be displayed there in his memory. There will also be a projector, showing slides of his entire life story, Lobo added.
On the restoration work, the Waste Management Minister informed that the jail will have a cafeteria and a sound and light show, which will focus on the freedom movement. Old artefacts related to Goan culture, old pictures that will show how Goa was before, will be displayed, Lobo stated, while adding that there will also be a huge painting of the Pinto Revolution.
“The Archaeological Survey of India along with GTDC is working on this project so that walls, doors, canons and other historical things can be repaired and not replaced and also names of all the freedom fighters who were part of the freedom struggle of Goa will be engraved on old antique stones,” Lobo added.
He also informed that the Freedom Fighter Association along with GTDC is working on this project.