Team Herald
PONDA: The Kranti Maidan renovation is nearing completion and will be re-inaugurated on December 18.
The renovation work was launched by former chief minister Manohar Parrikar last year. The function was also attended by PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamletdar.
Soon after the launch, the renovation work got embroiled in a controversy with the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC), which is backed by the BJP, opposing the project work on ground that it was not according to the approved plan and that the new plan reduced the sitting capacity of the Kranti Maidan. The municipality argued that since major functions such as Christmas and Ganesh attract large audience the maidan cannot accommodate all the visitors. However, Sudin and Lavoo rejected the claim as “politically motivated”.
Kranti Maidan is a memorial dedicated to martyrs of Goa liberation struggle; it is also a recreation ground and a place for organising inter-religious, social and cultural activities in the heart of Ponda town.
Kranti Maidan beautification work was undertaken to provide information to the young generation about Goa’s freedom fighters and the struggle for liberation.
The beautification work includes erection of 36 ornate pillars containing information on important historical moments, freedom fighters and martyrs; four lions representing the Kadamba rule in Goa and a fountain at the entrance with lotuses floating in it.
The work was allotted to a Karnataka-based contractor and the total expenditure on the beautification is 4.26 crore.
