Team Herald

PONDA: With the heavy rains lashing out in the State, the right side wall of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Fort, at Farmagudi collapsed and a huge crack has been developed to the wall located by the side of PES College.

Almost six-meter long wall has been collapsed. Beside this, trees are also grown on the walls, which led to collapse of the wall.

Earlier, few years ago also the wall had collapsed. The government during annual Shivaji Jayanti function while paying tributes to Shivaji Maharaj had several times announced of beautifying the fort. So far, it appears in neglected state as the trees are grown on the fort walls.

The locals informed that non-maintenance led to collapse of the wall. It may be recalled that two years ago both former PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and Art and Culture Minister had inspected the fort when the front wall had collapsed and had assured to renovate the fort.

There was even controversy among them over who should undertake the lead in construction of the fort. However, despite this, so far same old structure is prevailing at the spot.

The fort was constructed when Shashikala Kakodkar was the Chief Minister of Goa by the side of Ponda-Farmagudi-Panjim National Highway road.