Corjuem, Sanquelim forts to regain lost glory

Panaji: The process to restore heritage forts of Corjuem and Sanquelim have begun last week. The multi-crore project will take a year to complete and have added amenities of state-of-the-art caliber for the ease of heritage lovers. Estimated to tentatively complete by January 2023, the two forts will remain closed for tourist visits during the restoration period.
“Since the work will be carried out in full swing, we will have to prohibit entry to visitors during the restoration process,” said Dr Varad Sabnis, assistant superintending archeologist.
The directorate of archives and archaeology has taken up the structural restoration and beautification of the two forts. Basic amenities like toilets, parking area, pathway around the fort, drinking water facility and ticket counters will be the newly added features at the Corjuem fort.
Without the addition of any structural changes to the fort, the directorate also plans to erect an amphitheatre outside the fort.
“This space will be used for cultural events that will be hosted at the location,” Sabnis said.
The Sanquelim fort will have a museum, art gallery, flag post and a common room for senior citizens. Both the forts will also have signs boards and informative signage for the visitors to refer to.
The estimated cost for the works taken up at the fort of Corjuem is Rs 2.8cr, the consultant for which is conservation architect, Ketan Nachionalkar. A Gujarat-based company has been awarded the works contract.
The works at the Sanquelim fort are estimated to cost Rs 3cr, the consultant for which is Milind Ramani and the contract has been awarded to a Goa-based contractor.
The restoration works here were delayed owing to issues with business operations by kiosks dotting the exterior of the fort. There were also two offices of the PWD operating from inside the fort.
“Around 90% of the kiosks have been shifted to the new municipal market at Sanquelim while both the offices of the PWD have been shifted out of the fort,” Sabnis said.