MARGAO
There’s finally good news in store for Madgavkars in particular and Saxttikars and visitors to the commercial capital in general.
A decade after the City Fathers had changed the colour shade on the Margao municipal building and the subsequent decay that had set in the over-century old heritage building, the original brick red shade is all set to return back on the imposing building, city’s major landmark.
In fact, after years of neglect of the heritage building, the Civic body has set in motion the process of painting building with a new coat. If everything goes well, the imposing Municipal building will be decked up in the original brick red colour shade in the New Year.
The contractor, who has bagged the painting contract at a cost of Rs 13 lakh, has started the work in right earnest. Given that the contract including painting as well as minor repairs, one can see hectic work around the building.
Scaffolding is being erected all-round the Municipal building before the commencement of the painting work.
Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar said the civic body has decided to take up the painting work of the heritage building as the renovation and repair of the heritage building is expected to take further time. “The heritage building was indeed craving for a coat of paint. The building was looking shabby and in a dilapidated condition because the colour had faded. The last time the imposing building was painted was a decade ago”, Shirodkar said.
The civic chief said the contractor is expected to have a tie-up with a paint manufacturing company to ensure quality work on the project.
To a question, he said the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA), which was entrusted with the work of renovation and repairs to the MMC building has appointed a consultant to plan the work and to prepare the estimates.
‘Workers appointed by the consultant has already inspected the building and taken measurements. Once the estimates are prepared, GSUDA will inform the Civic body about the nature of the work and the costs”, Shirodkar added.
Margao Municipal engineer, Deepak Desai informed that the contractor appointed by the civic body has been given time of three months to complete the painting work. “We expect the contractor to complete the work by January-February. The contract includes minor repairs to the building. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 13 lakh”, Desai added.
