Team Herald
VASCO: In a major decision that would provide immense relief to the historians struggling to bring back the glory of Mormugao fort, the MMC has decided to adopt a resolution seeking government intervention to restore Mormugao fort in the forthcoming council meeting.
MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik claimed that, though Mormugao fort which is one of the longest and foremost coastal fort in Goa, covering an area of about 10 km in circumference (when measured outside the existing walls), however due to various reasons, the beauty of fort could not be revived and the fort remained neglected.
He said as Baina beach is getting developed through Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), Mormugao fort which has high tourism potential also needs to be developed on the same lines so that the fort area can be made as one of the popular tourist destination in Goa.
“Since last several decades, we have only heard that the Mormugao fort which was constructed to secure the port and the harbour during Portuguese rule would be developed sooner or later but it never happened. Now, after BJP government came to power, our MLAs took initiative to get the fort restored, but due to some reason, the work could not start. Now as the fort falls under our jurisdiction and considering demands from the people of the port town, we have decided to take up the issue in the next council meeting and to adopt a resolution asking the state government to restore the fort and convert the fort area into a tourism destination of state” Naik said.
It may be recalled that in July this year, Herald had raised the issue of the neglected Mormugao fort besides other historical and heritage venues of port town which if developed can convert the port town into a famous tourist destination in state. It was also highlighted that a tourist comes to airport and straightaway leaves to other tourist places in state but not Vasco. But now as MMC has decided to take up the issue seriously, it is likely that the hidden heritage that lies within the port town would again be explored by the tourist as well as locals.
