Team Herald
MARGAO: The government is in the process of categorising the old Camara Municipal de Salcete building into a heritage structure and is also discussing with the owners of the building to purchase the same so that the entire Old Market area can be preserved and restored, said Archives and Archaeology Minister Vijai Sardesai.
Responding to a question at the Sunday Dialogue he said beautification of the whole precinct of Old Market hinges on the Old Municipal building that was called Camara Municipal de Salcete and added that he was in touch with the owners of the building to purchase it for the government.
“However, there is a little bit of problem as somebody has created this impression that I want to purchase the building to put up some commercial structure when in reality given the fact that the government cannot acquire land I am trying to purchase it for the government,” he said.
While disclosing that noted historian Prajal Sakardhande has demanded that the whole area be declared as heritage zone, he said the government is inclined towards it and is in the process of declaring the old municipal building as heritage building.
He added that once that is done, the whole old market area can be made only a pedestrian zone provided the ring roads and other alternatives are ready for motorists.
