MARGAO
A host of changes are being mooted at the Lohia Maidan after consulting the freedom fighters, citizens and the local Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, informed TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai during an interaction with the media on Saturday.
"Nowhere, even in Uttar Pradesh, have we come across Dr Ram Manohar Lohia's life size statue in a "pudvem". What we have seen is Lohia's statue installed everywhere. We will explore the possibility of installing Lohia's bust at the Lohia Maidan along with other ma
jor changes," Vijai told the media.
He said an agency, which had planned a smart city in Uttar Pradesh has suggested landscaping an amphi theatre at the Lohia Maidan, while asserting that nothing has been decided till date. "These are just suggestions and final decision will be taken after consulting the concerned people," he said.
When the media pointed out that the Lohia Maidan symbolises freedom of speech and liberty and the lone venue left for political meetings and social functions, the TCP minister tried to reassure that meetings at the venue will not be curtailed at all. "We were only exploring the possibility whether people who come to the maidan seat on the ground instead of chairs. These suggestions are just at the preliminary stage. If seating on the ground would be uncomfortable for the people, especially women, it would not be considered," he said, adding that the maidan will host a massive stage.
Referring to the adjoining comunidade building, a prominent city's landmark, which has showed signs of crumbling, the TCP minister said the authorities would be directed to conduct an stability audit of the structure.
Asked why the new government has till date not initiated any restoration plan of the comunidade building, Vijai said, "I will have to sit with the components of the comunidades, who own the building and find out ways of protecting the structure."
Meanwhile, the TCP minister said the government will also take up beautification of the Margao Municipal garden in the near future. "After the restoration of the old market heritage area, we will come to Margao to beautify certain places. At the Janata darbar, an activist had demanded to know whether I am the Minister for Fatorda only. I want to say that Margao too would figure in the action plan of the government," he added.
He said an agency, which had planned a smart city in Uttar Pradesh has suggested landscaping an amphi theatre at the Lohia Maidan, while asserting that nothing has been decided till date. "These are just suggestions and final decision will be taken after consulting the concerned people," he said.
When the media pointed out that the Lohia Maidan symbolises freedom of speech and liberty and the lone venue left for political meetings and social functions, the TCP minister tried to reassure that meetings at the venue will not be curtailed at all. "We were only exploring the possibility whether people who come to the maidan seat on the ground instead of chairs. These suggestions are just at the preliminary stage. If seating on the ground would be uncomfortable for the people, especially women, it would not be considered," he said, adding that the maidan will host a massive stage.
Referring to the adjoining comunidade building, a prominent city's landmark, which has showed signs of crumbling, the TCP minister said the authorities would be directed to conduct an stability audit of the structure.
Asked why the new government has till date not initiated any restoration plan of the comunidade building, Vijai said, "I will have to sit with the components of the comunidades, who own the building and find out ways of protecting the structure."
Meanwhile, the TCP minister said the government will also take up beautification of the Margao Municipal garden in the near future. "After the restoration of the old market heritage area, we will come to Margao to beautify certain places. At the Janata darbar, an activist had demanded to know whether I am the Minister for Fatorda only. I want to say that Margao too would figure in the action plan of the government," he added.
