MARGAO
Cry, Madgavkars, for the ambitious plans unveiled by the Margao Civic body and the powers that be to renovate and deck up the 118-year-old Margao Municipal heritage building before the onset of the next monsoons seemed to have gone haywire.
While politicians handed out repeated reassurances to the citizens that the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) will take up the building renovation work, proceedings of the Margao Municipal Council meeting gave indications that the renovation of the building is unlikely to take place before the onset of the next monsoons.
For, Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar sought the Council’s nod for repair of only a portion of the building roof before the next monsoons, fearing the roof might cave in during the monsoons for want of repairs.
When the City Fathers questioned the Civic Chief over his proposal to repair the building roof when the MMC has proposed to the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) to take up the renovation of the heritage building, Shirodkar was quick to point out that GSUDA has asked the Civic body to deposit funds to the tune of Rs 10 crore to carry out the renovation.
The MMC Chairperson’s reply came as a shock and surprise to the City Fathers as they contended that the heritage building is not only in need of urgent repairs, but the building looks shabby for want of a fresh coat of paint.
Chairperson Damu Shirodkar sought to allay the concerns of the City Fathers, saying the building renovation is very much on the Municipal agenda.
He, however, did not elaborate on how the MMC would deposit Rs 10 crore with GSUDA to take up the renovation work or whether the renovation work has been postponed for the moment.
Meanwhile, the Council gave its nod for the repairs of the MMC building roof as well as the roof of the heritage building housing the New Market.
