CANACONA
Quepem MLA Altone D'Costa has warned that people will not allow anyone to touch the Cabo-de-Rama Fort until there is clarity on plans to beautify the fort.
He was responding to the Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s (GTDC) approval of Rs 21.45 crore for the renovation and beautification of the Cabo-de-Rama Fort, which is under the care and protection of the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology.
D'Costa along with Goa Heritage Action Group Chairperson Dr Jorson Fernandes, a number of residents assembled at the Cabo-de-Rama Fort and later addressed the media.
“Whatever tender for over Rs 21 crore to renovate and beautify the Cabo-de-Rama Fort has to be first shown and opened up to the people, particularly the residents, the heritage committee of Cabo-de-Rama, because they as locals also know and have the experience on what has to be done and how it is to be done,” said D’Costa.
“The government should go ahead only after taking locals into confidence. We want to make it clear that no work on the Cabo-de-Rama Fort should go ahead without taking us into confidence.”
“We don't want it to happen the way it has happened in North Goa. We first need to see the blueprint of the renovation and beautification of Cabo-de-Rama Fort. We are not against the government or against the tender, we only want clarity in the matter.”
The Quepem MLA claimed that the State government had previously conducted restoration works, but within a short period, the walls collapsed.
“As a result, crores of rupees went down the drain. This is taxpayers' money and the government must make judicious use of public money,” said D’Costa.
“I will speak to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Minister for Archives Subhash Phaldessai to look into this matter and will inform them that we will do it by taking everyone into confidence.”
“Incidentally, there is a church dedicated to St Anthony right inside the fort where the feast is celebrated every year, while some people have private properties. There are sentiments attached to the fort,” he added.
Stating all the forts are under the care of the Department of Archives and Archaeology, Dr Fernandes informed that these forts are given to the GTDC to restore and beautify.
“They are attempting to do it their own way,” said Dr Fernandes.
He guided the residents to put up the issue before the gram sabha and to demand the withdrawal of the Settlement Zone inside the Fort, while also demanding that people be informed about what is being done on the fort.
