PANAJI
After withstanding the onslaught of enemies and nature for centuries, the famed Aguada Jail is set to be fortified yet again, but this time for a different purpose and a different set of people.
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has taken a lead to convert Aguada Jail into a tourist spot under Central Government's Coastal Circuit Development Swadesh Darshan scheme.
Under the scheme, the Corporation will get Rs 25 crore. The company which will be selected to undertake the work has to complete the task within a year after it is awarded contract.
The GTDC has floated a tender of Rs 24.25 crore while selection of the contractor will be done by December 15. Actual work on the project will begin only in 2018.
Some old jail premises in the country have been converted into museums. Andaman and a jail in Himachal Pradesh have been included in it.
When contacted, GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral said the government was going to renovate the erstwhile central jail and throw it open for tourists.
"We are renovating the Aguada jail and will be taking the help of historian, Prajal Sakhardhande, and some freedom fighters to undertake the renovation job ," Cabral said.
He said there were plans to have light and sound shows depicting jail's history and the freedom struggle.
"Much of the cost will be utilised for renovation works," he added.
The GTDC has also undertaken work of beautification of some road and temples in Pernem taluka.
It may be recalled last year, the State Cabinet had passed a resolution to convert the Aguada jail into a tourism hub. The Cabinet had approved the proposal of GTDC to convert the erstwhile central jail into a heritage tourism spot under the central government's Swadesh Darshan scheme, which was launched for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
The Aguada jail no longer houses prisoners as all the inmates have been shifted to the Colvale jail near Mapusa a year ago.
