OLD GOA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said the State Government proposed to frame a “Heritage Policy” for the State, while also setting aside Rs 37.5 crore for various restoration and conservation works.“I propose to conduct a structural audit of all protected monuments for the preparation of restoration plans. For this restoration and conservation works, a provision of Rs 17.5 crore has been made.”
“Our religious places are symbols of our cultural heritage. In Goa, several temples are in dilapidated condition. These temples were damaged during the Portuguese regime. The State government has made the provision of Rs 20 crore for renovation and reconstruction of these temples,” said Sawant.
The chief minister also announced a proposal to construct a new building for the archives department, for which a provision of Rs 15 crore has been made.
“Further, in order to conserve the archival records for posterity, a provision of Rs 10 crore has been kept,” he added.
Stating that the restoration of the Sankhali fort, Khorjuvem fort and Chapel of Monte at Old Goa are in progress, Sawant also proposed to undertake conservation of Jain Basti at Bandora, provide basic amenities at protected monuments/sites, carry out surveys of all archaeological remains and monuments in order to notify more protected monuments and sites.
Old Goa churches to get facelift
OLD GOA:
Looking to give a boost to the tourism sector, particularly with a focus on the world-famous Old Goa churches, the government will be developing infrastructure and amenities at Rs 51.74 crore
While presenting the budget, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed that the development of infrastructure and amenities at Basilica of Bom Jesus along with various other churches in Old Goa will be undertaken under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme.
It may be recalled that last year during the inauguration of the helipad at Dhauji-Old Goa, then GTDC chairman Dayanand Sopte had informed that the beautification of the Old Goa churches will be taken under the PRASAD scheme.
However, the financial administrator of Goa Archdiocese Fr Noel D’Costa had later informed The Goan that the majority of the funds would be spent on the project on the GTDC property.
“Earlier, the project proposed was too big as it would overshadow monuments like the Basilica and others. After our objection, it was toned down from basement plus two floors to basement plus ground floor,” said Fr D’Costa.
He had informed that the Church had given its approval for landscaping, installing tents, water amenities, etc. within the precincts of the churches.
New museum in Old Goa
OLD GOA:
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has stated that a new museum building will be set up at Ella in Old Goa.
“An area of 9,520 sq. mts has been transferred to the Directorate of Museums at Ella village, Tiswadi to construct a new museum building at a cost of Rs 21.54 crores with central assistance,” said Sawant, during his budget speech on Wednesday.
