Plans to beautify Old Market area with focus on heritage

Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai inspects the Old market area.

Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar

MARGAO
The Old market area, once a bustling market during the Portuguese era, will soon get a makeover, with plans in the pipeline to beautify the area, including the heritage area around the Holy Spirit Church square, the Tinto, and the Lord Damodar Sal area, which was visited by Swami Vivekananda before embarking on a visit to Chicago, USA.

Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, on Wednesday, visited the Old market to inspect the area around the Chapel, which has been witnessing inundation during the monsoons.

After the inspection with PWD officials, Sardesai called for a plan to mitigate flooding in the area with drainage. "The Old market Chapel has a history behind it. It should be our endeavour to protect the religious structure. Flooding takes place in the area because of the road. I have told the officials to work out a drainage plan to resolve the issue," he said.

Unveiling plans to take up the beautification of the Old market area, the Fatorda MLA said he is ready to spend Rs 2 crore on the beautification of the Old market Tinto, the Holy Spirit Church square, and the entrance to the area. "I have already taken up the beautification of the Old market circle to KTC bus stand stretch. Coconut trees will soon be planted on both sides of the road stretch," he said.

Fearing that the Old market area will turn into a ghost town after the Margao Civil and Criminal Courts are shifted to the new premises at the district Court complex, Sardesai stressed the need to ensure that business goes on as usual and that local residents have a walkway.

As far as the Sal Temple is concerned, he disclosed plans to use funds to give the surroundings a facelift as part of the beautification.