The iconic Cam pal lighthouse, popularly known as the Kala Academy lighthouse, was demolished on Sunday after authorities declared the 23-metre-tall structure structurally un safe and beyond repair. Located behind the Academy on the banks of the Mandovi River in Pan jim, the nearly 43-year-old concrete lighthouse had suffered extensive dete rioration due to years of coastal erosion, continu ous wave action, and pro longed exposure to saline conditions. Officials said the damage had significantly weakened the structure, leaving dem olition as the only viable option to ensure public safety.
For decades, the light house served as a promi nent landmark along the Campal coastline and was a familiar sight for resi dents and visitors alike. Its demolition marks the end of an enduring symbol of Panjim’s waterfront, evok ing nostalgia among many who associated the struc ture with the city’s coastal landscape. Authorities stated that the decision followed structural assessments which concluded that the lighthouse posed a po tential safety risk and could no longer be re stored.
