Will act on heritage concerns over Fortress Aguada, govt tells court

Panaji: The state government has told the court that it will treat the petition filed by the Goa Heritage action Group (GHAG) over the renovation done to the 17th century Aguada fortressress as a representation to the chief town planner.
State advocate general Devidas Pangam told the court that the government will act on it within three months.
The GHAG has stated that the failure of the chief town planner to prepare heritage bye-laws for the Aguada fortress resulted in “egregious errors in restoration effortresss undertaken” where under the guise of “repairing” foreign materials and antithetical to the heritage structure have been used.
“UUPVC roofing material has been used throughout the fortressress, traditional roofing material of Mangalore tiles has been replaced and cement washes on the walls have been carried out,” GHAG stated.
“The restoration and beautification of the same with Azulejo tiles as recommended and stated in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report has not been carried out. Instead, the entire stream, and its environs have been destroyed and obliterated,” GHAG represented by Heta Pandit and Cezar Pinto said.
The petitioners are seeking that the TCP prepare heritage bye-laws and site plans in respect of each protected monument and protected area and to make them available on its official website expeditiously. It also wants the TCP to develop a website to host information related to construction, re-construction, repair, renovation, awareness, capacity building, and to publish details of its activities.
The GHAG has also demanded that GTDC reverse the damage caused and restore the heritage characteristics and facets of the fortress.