The Eastern wall of the Portuguese-era heritage Margao Municipal building now adorns the original brick-red colour. Captured by : Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
The original brick-red colour has finally returned back on the Portuguese-era Margao Municipal heritage building.
Sunday saw the brick-red colour adorning the imposing building, the commercial capital’s premiere landmark. Painters engaged by the civic body have almost completed the work of painting the eastern wall of the imposing building with the brick-red colour.
The brick-red colour was akin to the Municipal heritage building over the years before the councillors over a decade ago in their wisdom decided to switch to yellowish-white colour.
The Portuguese-era Municipal building, which has been the seat of Municipal power in entire Salcete, has been craving for attention over the years. The paint had faded off while the very structure had come under the lens of citizens and heritage lovers over its pathetic state of affairs.
Against this backdrop, the Margao Municipality headed by Chairperson Damo Naik decided to go ahead with the building painting work, notwithstanding that the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) will soon come up with the work of major repairs and upkeep of the heritage building.
The civic chief informed that the Council has gone ahead with the painting work since the paint had worn off leaving the building in a shabby state. “The MMC had sent a proposal to the GSUDA to take up the work of repairs and maintenance of the building. Since, the repair work is expected to take some time, it was decided by the Council to take up the painting work to give a new look for the heritage structure,” Damu said.
While the painting tender was floated for an estimated amount of Rs 10 lakh, the cost is likely to go up with MMC officials now insisting on quality paint.
