Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government has informed the High Court of Bombay at Goa that no decision regarding the demolition of Goa’s iconic Kala Academy has been taken, but parts of the structure are undergoing repairs for strengthening the building.
The submission was made before the division bench in connection with a suo motu writ petition, wherein the High Court last month took cognisance of media reports on the possibility of the demolition of the Kala Academy.
When the matter came up for hearing on Monday, Advocate General Devidas Pangam informed the court that government has so far not taken any decision to demolish the structure even as repair works have already been undertaken. The government also stated that the structural audit report of the Kala Academy has been received by GSIDC. The court thereafter adjourned the hearing to October 21.
The report, prepared by Mumbai-based consultancy Gem Engserv Pvt Ltd, based on the structural audit, has indicated that in the present condition the institution is incapable of handling further pressure. The report has many similarities with that of the first report prepared by experts from Goa Engineering College (GEC).
Art & Culture Minister Govind Gaude had earlier said that any decision with regard to repairs and/or renovation of the Kala Academy would be taken after consulting the stakeholders.
