Team Herald
PANJIM: In a bid to protect and conserve the historically and architecturally relevant structures in the State, the government has proposed formulating a Heritage Conservation Policy.
As a first step in that direction, the department of Town and Country Planning (TCP) has asked the Charles Correa Foundation to extend its scope of work of documenting and listing heritage buildings with grades in Margao, Assagao, Saligao, Chandor, Old Goa, and other heritage areas of the State. The foundation has already undertaken grading of heritage structures in Panjim.
TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said, “We intend to have a policy which will not only protect these heritage structures but will also give them a new lease of life. We will also introduce incentives towards preservation of these structures, which have historic and architectural value.”
The minister added, “Wherever required, the Department of Archives and Archaeology will be roped in to undertake restoration of dilapidated structures.”
Sardesai, who is also Minister for Archives and Archaeology, pointed out that in the absence of a dedicated heritage conservation policy, structures of historic importance are fading. “Conservation of heritage structures is not an easy task,” he said.
During its recent meeting, the TCP conservation committee under Sardesai had decided to direct the Charles Correa Foundation to extend its work of documenting and grading heritage structures in Margao and other heritage important areas of the State, in phases.
“We have asked the foundation to submit a detailed presentation on by when the exercise of grading these structures will be completed. Accordingly, the time frame for the policy will be made,” the Minister said.
