MAPUSA
For the reading enthusiasts of Mapusa who have been deprived of a library and reading facility for over two years now, there’s good news and bad news.
The good news is Mapusa will get a well-equipped and modern library in a renovated and refurbished old municipal building. The bad news is that the time when this facility will be made available is uncertain.
Six months back, the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) had decided to renovate and restore the old municipal building through the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA).
As per the plans drawn by GSUDA, the first floor and the library section of the building will be repaired and re-plastered and painted.
It has also been decided to carry out re-roofing of the structure with Mangalore tiles along with structural components and false ceiling.
Tile flooring and furniture/woodwork is also included in the plan.
The total cost of the project has been estimated to cost around Rs 2.5 crore.
“The entire ground floor of the building will be dedicated to the new library. The hall and the storerooms on the first floor which is in a dilapidated condition will also be renovated so that it could be utilized properly,” said Hussain Shah Muzawar, Municipal Engineer-I of MMC.
“If need be, the library will be extended even on the first floor,” he added.
He said the library will be set up with all modern facilities including the feature of a digital library.
However, the municipal engineer could not confirm how long it will take to complete the entire renovation and restoration work.
“The renovation work has to be tendered first and this can be done only after the code of conduct is lifted,” he said.
MMC Chairperson Shubangi Vaigankar informed that the renovation work of the old municipal building will be taken up as soon as the code of conduct was lifted.
“GSUDA had appointed a consultant for the planning of the renovation and restoration of the old municipal building before the election. Once the code of conduct is lifted, we will give top priority to this work,” Vaigankar said.
Initially, the MMC had decided to hand over the old municipal building to the Department of Art and Culture to set up a district library. After dilly-dallying for more than a year, the council decided to renovate it through GSUDA.
Due to its dilapidated condition, the building and with it the century-old Athaide Municipal Library was closed for the public in September 2019.
Constructed during the Portuguese regime, the building is more than 100 years old and is considered a heritage structure.
