The infamous saga of Kala Academy continues as the Task Force reveals the findings of the IIT Madras team inspection in September 2025. From the time the physical work began in June 2021, it has been a story of escalating costs, delays, false assurances and failures. Despite a categorical thumbs down from the Charles Correa Foundation, which is the primary custodian of the architectural legacy and original design intent of the Kala Academy designed by the world-renowned architect Late Charles Correa, and the opinions of many other experts and personalities, nothing has changed on the ground.
The IIT Madras draft report, which was made public on Thursday, flagged “serious structural damage” and “chronic water ingress”. Experts have recommended infrared and thermal scanning to assess the full extent of the damage, slamming the Rs 50-crore expenditure as largely “wasted” due to poor execution. On Friday, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat said the PWD had only a “limited role” in the renovation project and pointed at the Art and Culture Department. Former Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, during his tenure, washed his hands off, stating that his department did not execute the work. The question is, where does the buck stop?
Lest we forget, Gaude had assured us a “masterpiece” by drawing vague references to the Taj Mahal to justify the execution of works without a tender. He has faced consistent flak from various quarters, design and sound experts, architects, theatre personalities and the Task Force. In fact, the Task Force Committee was officially constituted in late September 2024 following concerns raised by artists and the opposition regarding the quality of the iconic building’s renovation.
What is rather surprising is that the premises have been thrown open for the public despite assessments being in progress, overlooking safety standards and operational concerns. It is ironic that the government has shown a very casual attitude in not taking these failures seriously and not doing a validation before opening. Who has certified the quality of work?
Furthermore, when such red flags are raised, one expects heads to roll and accountability fixed. The task force has gone on to say that the renovation and strengthening cost of Rs 50 crore has been a “waste” of public money. So where does all of this end? We are not talking about holding one individual or a minister responsible. The entire chain, from top to bottom, including the contractor, has to be brought to book. Goans don’t deserve such shoddy work for Rs 50 crore.
Established as a hub of artistic expression, institutions like Kala Academy are public assets that embody the cultural identity of the State, and hence demand the highest standards of management. The renovation of Kala Academy cannot be considered just another renovation because it involves both aesthetic and structural beauty. Those who have been pointing at various failures are doing so out of fear of losing the legacy of this iconic structure, not for personal grudges or dislikes.
The Kala Academy failure is a grim reminder that projects of cultural importance cannot be treated as construction ventures because they are repositories of identity and pride and affects the socio-cultural life. It is sad that the crucial link between aesthetics and culture is still not understood by those handling the Kala Academy. Safeguarding heritage requires vigilance, transparency, and unwavering commitment to quality. Unfortunately, none of these are visible in the current scheme of things.
