The power transformer and the junk inside the Lohia Maidan block a clear view of the Maidan and the statue of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia from outside. Captured by : Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Can the beautification of the Lohia Maidan, named after the great Indian Nationalist Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, ever be complete sans restoration of the aesthetics of the historic place?
This question is being asked in city circles as the historic Lohia Maidan, is not just a major landmark in the commercial capital, but symbolises free speech and expression ever since Dr Lohia along with Dr Juliao Menezes had given a clarion call to the people on June 18, 1946 to arise and oust the Portuguese regime from Goan soil.
Located in the heart of the commercial capital, the renovated and beautified Lohia Maidan was inaugurated and thrown open to the public in mid-April 2023. The power transformer located on the northern corner of the Maidan, however, stays put at the same site, spoiling the beauty and aesthetics of the historic place. That’s not all. Lohia Maidan’s spacious stage, which had played host to many an agitation in the post-Liberation period, has been cut down to size, raising questions over the delay in expanding the stage in tune with the very spirit of free speech and expression.
Plans to improve and give a new look to the rear side of the comunidade building has also failed to take off till date.
Consider this. The power transformer and the junk inside the Lohia Maidan is yet to be shifted towards the western corner of the Maidan, near Kandil restaurant. Resultantly, the transformer and the wall erected in front of the structure for safety purpose has blocked a clear view of the Maidan as well as Dr Ram Manohar Lohia’s statue from the northern side.
On the inauguration day, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat had announced that the power transformer would be shifted towards Kandil restaurant side by the Electricity Department.
In fact, Kamat had pointed out that both Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Power Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar had agreed in principle to shift the power transformer to the western corner of the Maidan and restore the aesthetics of the historic Maidan.
It’s now a year and half since the Lohia Maidan was inaugurated in mid-April 2023, but neither the Power department nor Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) has initiated steps to shift the power transformer, raising questions whether the transformer will remain a permanent nuisance at the site. Incidentally, the power transformer was shifted into the Lohia Maidan during the underground cabling project, with questions raised why the Powers that be turning a blind eye to the shifting.
When The Goan contacted MLA Digambar Kamat to shed light on the delay in shifting the power transformer, he agreed that the Power department was scheduled to shift the transformer, but in vain. “May be, the transformer could not be shifted till date because of the logistics involved in the operation. I will check up with Power department officials over the delay,” Kamat added.
GSUDA officials, on the other hand, pointed out that the responsibility of shifting the power transformer from the Lohia Maidan now lies with the Power department. “GSUDA has nothing to do with the shifting of the power transformer. It is now for the Power department to shift the transformer,” the official added.
President of the 18th June Kranti Din Samiti Avinash Shirodkar who is also the Secretary of the South Goa Freedom Fighters Association, conceded that the power transformer could not be shifted till date. “May be the work on shifting of the transformer was not taken up by the Power department because of the continuous rains. We will now take up the matter with Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and Power officials,” Avinash added.
Stage size at Lohia Maidan criticised
