The Margao Municipal Council, at their meeting on Thursday, decided to utilise the land acquisition grants and acquire the Historic Camara De Municipal, which presently lies in ruins in the Old Market area.
The MMC after realising that the funds of land acquisition worth several crores received by the Council have remained unused, decided to use the same and acquire the land for the rejuvenation and renovation of the Camara.
The building dates back to 1778 and has a rich profound history of incidents. One of the most remembered incidents occurred on September 21, 1890 where 23 Goans, who protested against the rigging of elections that happened in favour of a Portuguese candidate were shot dead here. The bullet marks of the fired rounds are still visible on the walls of the Camara.
The Camara was functional till 1905 and later was shifted to where the Margao Municipal Council stands at present. The building has lot of history and has to be conserved. The History Lovers Groups have said that it can be conserved with all the technology of 21st Century and it is a beautiful building with beautiful architectural style. It has beautiful facades and it has to be conserved.
After there was a lot of hue and cry over the deteriorating condition of the historic structure, this decision of the MMC to acquire the land and building of the Camara de Municipal comes as a relief to the efforts of the NGOs.
The NGOs have been urging the MMC to protect and repair the old dilapidated Camara and bring it back to life and conserve it for future generations.
Savio Coutinho, with Historian Prajal Sakhardande, had earlier inspected the building of Old Camara in Old Market Margao after the MMC had in a circular declared Camara De Municipal in the 17 other buildings as dangerous. They had met the Chief Officer and registered their protest against demolishing the building.
According to the former Chairperson of MMC, Savio Coutinho the land acquisition was initiated in 2009 during his tenure. “The Council had once resolved to demolish the Camara and we had then formed the Heritage Action Group and requested the Chief Officer not to do so,” said Savio.
It may be recalled that this is the 3rd resolution of the MMC on the Camara de Municipal and yet another effort to save the building.
The experts have said that the process of land acquisition unlike other processes runs from offices to offices and not table to table. Hence the Council will have to now valuate the land cost and then look at the cost that may be involved in the acquisition and will have to deposit the same with the collector.
It may also become rather difficult for MMC to acquire the land right away due to the increased cost of land acquisition according to the new rules and will have to seek additional funds of the acquisition of the Camara.
The Chairperson, had in the meeting of the MMC, said, “There was money MMC had received for the land acquisition purposes and was lying unused for several years now. Now that we know that the money is available the same can be used for acquisition of the Camara land,” said Babita Angle.
