Team Herald
PONDA: Nine days after a portion of the Farmagudi fort collapsed, the debris have not been cleared, leave alone rebuilding the damaged portion of the monument.
Worse, not even a signboard has been erected to warn the visitors of the risks of venturing close to the broken structure.
On August 24, a portion of the fort dedicated to Chatrapapti Shivaji collapsed due to heavy rain and the debris is lying close to the life-size statue of Shivaji mounted on a horse.
Shivsainiks and the locals have expressed resentment at the authorities for failing to clear the debris, as it sits right at the entrance of Ponda and is giving a bad image to the town. The remaining portion of the fort is also on the verge of collapse.
Ghansham Mardolkar, a local, said that since the fort is located on Panajim to Ponda main road, the collapsed structure is an eyesore. Therefore, he said, the government should repair the structure on priority.
Former chief minister Shashikala Kakodkar constructed the fort in honour of the Maratha King who tried to free Goa from Portuguese rulers.
Every year, the government celebrates the birth anniversary of Shivaji at the fort, which is tourist attraction.
