Team Herald
PERNEM: A portion of the Alorna (Halarna) Fort wall, which collapsed almost a year ago, is yet to be restored. Apparently, local MLA Manohar (Babu) Ajgaonkar who also holds the Ministry of Tourism has not even bothered to visit the site, even once, said Alorna villagers.
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This fort is currently under renovation by the Archeology Survey of India and closed for public. However, government’s failure to restore the wall of the historic fort has triggered an apprehension among the locals on whether government is bothered about preserving history or not.
Alorna Fort is one of the oldest forts in Goa, situated on the banks of Chapora River in Alorna village of Pernem. It was constructed by the Bhonsle’s of Sawantwadi in the 17th century to defend the Maratha attacks.
People demand that the collapsed wall should be restored and the fort should be opened for public since many domestic and foreign tourists are forced to return back from the locked gate.
Varad Sabnis, Superintendent of Archeology Department said, “Yes a portion of wall is collapsed. We have tendered the work of damaged portion and work will be completed- in 60 days excluding monsoon”.
