Team Herald
MAPUSA: The government has failed to keep the Chapora Fort, a prime tourism destination in Goa plastic and garbage free. Locals are upset with the filth and garbage lying around this fort that was built in 1717.
It maybe recalled that Minister for Archives and Archaeology, Chandrakant Kavlekar had informed the Monsoon Legislative Assembly that a tender will be floated for the restoration works of this fort. in a written reply to a question tabled by the Tivim MLA, Nilkanth Halankar. The govt had earlier floated tenders thrice for the restoration of the fort but no response.
On Thursday the Anjuna panchayat along with students from St. Michael High School and the villagers carried out a cleanliness drive. They picked up garbage strewn outside as well as inside the fort.
Anjuna Sarpanch, Patrick Savio Almeida said around 12 tonnes of garbage was collected, filled in six trucks and sent to the GWMC at Saligao.
“The condition of the fort is in a mess as there is garbage everywhere. We collected plastic bottles, cups, noodle packets, tender coconut shells, straw and all such things outside the fort. There was a lot of plastic waste inside the fort as well. Two years ago upgradation work of this fort was being carried out which is incomplete and has come to a standstill,” said Almeida.
“It is the job of the Archaeology Department to maintain this fort and keep it clean. An awareness has to be created among the vendors and tourist visiting that this fort has to be protected. Last week I have even informed the Minister for Archives and Archaeology about the fort being in a mess. He said he would look into it,” he added.
