PRATIK PARAB
pratik@herald.goa.com
The Margao Municipal Council has, after a long wait, resolved to develop the Old Market area as a heritage precinct and make it into a tinto of Margao. The MMC had resolved to give the work to the GSIDC for the make-over of the tinto. The Camara Municipal De Salcete had then missed the bus due to official tangles and now is delaying the entire process of the heritage precinct.
A letter was received by the MMC from the GSIDC on the proposal given by the TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai of developing the Margao Old Market area into a tinto of heritage and showcase of Goan architecture.
The GSIDC will execute the same at a cost of Rs. 11.62 crores. A proposed plan outlay has been made by a team of Spanish Architects and the SGPDA member Ankit Prabhudessai for the development of the tinto and will be re-modeled to be the heritage hub of Margao on par with the plan.
The TCP Minister said: “The fate of Heritage precinct hangs in balance because of the Camara Municipal De Salcete. The Camara is a privately owned building and the government is willing to buy it. Either the Archives department or the municipality will have to buy it and then spend money to restore it.”
It has been informed that at the moment the MMC has had discussion with the owner and he has been given a letter by the department of archive which is basically to declare the whole monument as a heritage structure which means the owner will not be able to do anything other than restoration.
“There is Heritage attached to it and it is the first revolt in Goa. Demolishing the building and building a new structure is not going to be allowed. It may be made into Town Hall or museum,” added Vijai.
