VASCO
Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha on Monday said the much-awaited Kala Bhavan at Sancoale would be ready within the next six months.
Speaking to reporters at her constituency office in Upasnagar, Saldanha added that the Bandolem lake beautification project could not be taken up because the project did not get the NOC from GCZMA, while work on the new Zuarinagar market complex was awaiting the Navy’s NOC.
"The Kala Bhavan was started in 2007 by the previous legislator Mauvin Godinho and when I became the MLA, I visited the site for the first time in 2014 and I was surprised to notice there was nothing inside the project like internal infrastructure, flooring, tiling, electrification, furnishings, roofing, and acoustics. I did not want to touch the project.”
“Then CM late Manohar Parrikar said a lot of money was put in the project which was beneficial for the people and hence, I took up the project. We then had several meeting with then art and culture minster Dayanand Mandrekar and present Minster Govind Gaude.”
“The art and culture department informed the GSIDC to complete the project and Kala Bhavan will now even have college of dramatics," said Saldanha.
Saldanha said the work had restarted in 2019 but the pace of work dwindled amid the pandemic.
"Now the work is going on, but there is a problem with funds due to the pandemic but Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is keen that the project is completed. He has directed the GSIDC to expedite the project and funds will be made available so that works are carried out faster.”
“I want to assure that the project will be completed in six months," said Saldanha.
Saldanha said the Bandolem lake project included an island in the lake with statues of animals of Goa and coloured fountains, besides a jogger’s track around the side.
“But with no NOCs from GCZMA as yet, the project could not be taken up. Work on the new Zuarinagar market complex is also awaiting the Navy NOC,” she added.
