Are chandeliers meant to adorn heritage halls and civic landmarks, or be stacked away in open cupboards, exposing priceless artefacts to potential damage? The question has resurfaced amid continuing concerns over the fate of the antique chandeliers belonging to the Margao Municipal Council (MMC).
While the mystery surrounding the “missing” chandeliers from the Margao Municipal Hall has finally been laid to rest, with Municipal Administrator Srinet Kothwale clarifying that the fixtures are stored within the heritage municipal building, several questions continue to haunt the civic body.
The issue has gained significance as the MMC had engaged an agency as far back as 2022 to undertake the repair and maintenance of the antique chandeliers. However, four years later, the restoration exercise remains incomplete.
Of the seven chandeliers identified for repair and upkeep, only three have been restored and reinstalled so far — one in the Chief Officer’s chamber and two in the Municipal Hall. The remaining four chandeliers continue to remain out of service.
The delay has raised several questions, including whether the MMC had floated quotations or tenders for the restoration work, the timeline fixed for completion of the project, and the manner in which payments were made to the agency engaged for the repairs.
Sources told The Goan that the four unrepaired chandeliers are currently stacked inside a cupboard located in the veranda outside the MMC Chairperson’s chamber. According to sources, the restoration work has stalled because no dedicated funds have been allocated for the remaining repairs. “The expert has apparently not proceeded with the restoration because funds are required to procure replacement components and materials needed for the chandeliers,” sources said.
They added that each of the four remaining chandeliers may require expenditure of around Rs 40,000 towards materials and repairs, besides a professional fee of approximately Rs 10,000 for the expert. “The MMC may need to arrange close to Rs two lakh to complete the restoration of the remaining four chandeliers and restore them to their former glory,” sources said.
The prolonged delay has also triggered demands for accountability from the outgoing elected council.
“The outgoing council should explain to the people of Margao why a restoration project initiated in 2022 remains unfinished in 2026. The outgoing Council must clarify whether any tender or quotation process was followed while appointing the expert and disclose how funds were arranged and payments made for the restoration of the first three chandeliers,” sources demanded.
With four of the heritage chandeliers still lying idle, questions continue to be raised over the civic body's commitment to preserving valuable municipal assets, including priceless artefacts and completing the long-pending restoration project.
