Heritage at stake: Fate of Margao’s Urban Health Centre hangs in balance

MARGAO: The Margao Urban Health Centre (UHC) still lies in a neglected state with the government’s advisory board developing cold feet in granting approval to the much-needed repair works of the heritage building to prevent it from further decay.

Public Works Department (PWD) sources said they are still awaiting government’s approval to commence the repair of the portion of the heritage building which collapsed during monsoon.

Several months have passed, but the crucial approval for the heritage structure’s restoration remains elusive, as concerns have been raised that the delay could further deteriorate the heritage structure.

Citizens and heritage lovers fear that the delay in obtaining approval from the government’s advisory board could jeopardise the structural stability of the Urban Health Centre.

“The fate of the Margao Urban Health Centre hangs in the balance. We are awaiting the government’s timely intervention to safeguard its heritage value and prevent it from further decay,” stated Iftiyaz Shaikh, citizen of Margao.

It has been revealed that the proposal for financial approval, submitted to the advisory board by the Public Works Department on August 25, is still pending.  

Stakeholders and concerned citizens have raised apprehensions and have underscored the need for prompt attention to ensure the timely approval of funds and the commencement of much-needed repair work.

Sources revealed that the proposal for financial approval, submitted with urgency following directives from the Directorate of Health Services, is still pending. Despite the Health Minister Vishwajit Rane’s instructions to address the repair of the damaged portion of the heritage building promptly, the exposure of these historical structures to the elements, particularly rains, continues unabated.

Initially, the portion of the heritage structure collapsed in July, leading to the relocation of all health services to the old Hospicio building.

Rane is on-record commitment on urgent repairs prompted the PWD to draft plans for restoration, estimated at Rs nine lakh.

Expressing concern, Shivanand Borkar, a resident of Margao, alleged that the government is not serious in preserving and protecting heritage buildings in Goa. The delay in approving the proposal for the repair of the damaged portion of the Urban Health Centre shows that the government is not committed to safeguarding the cultural assets.