MAPUSA
Appreciating the “eye-catching” restoration work done on the historic erstwhile Aguada jail, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday categorically assured that the renovated jail premises will not be handed to any private party.
He also said that the historic refurbished monument will be inaugurated at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We are not going to give the Aguada jail to anyone. And that is final. Some persons have the habit of making unsubstantiated allegations. People should not fall to their misleading talks,” Sawant said.
Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardessai had recently alleged that the government was planning to handover the refurbished Aguada jail premises to a private firm and labeled it as “heritage gate”.
He also demanded an inquiry into the irregularities of handing over the heritage site to a firm, allegedly owned by the son of a senior ruling party leader.
The CM was speaking to the media while conducting an inspection of the ongoing restoration work of the erstwhile Aguada jail which is sought to be converted into a museum.
Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister, Babu Ajgaonkar, Ports Minister, Michael Lobo and department officials were also present.
Sawant said it was a great feeling that a monument of great significance was being restored at the 60th Goa Liberation anniversary and complimented senior government officials engaged with the refurbishing work of the jail.
“Prime Minister, Narendra Modi will inaugurate the renovated Agauda jail and that is why we are periodically monitoring the ongoing work,” Sawant said.
The restoration work of the jail has been undertaken through the central government funds under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
The total cost of the project which includes restoration of the structures and light and sound show is around Rs 25 crore.
The restored Aguada jail is sought to be converted into a museum depicting Goa’s freedom struggle and will also have galleries showcasing Goan artifacts.
The then central jail which was constructed during the Portuguese era has been shut since 2015 ever since the new central jail was shifted to Colvale.
