Heritage MMC building renovation plan ready, but challenges remain

The Margao Municipal heritage building which got a fresh coat of the original red-brick paint after a decade and half.

Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar

MARGAO
There’s finally good news in store for Madgavkars and Saxttikars in particular – the renovation plan of the over 120-year old Margao Municipal heritage building is finally in place.

There’s, however, a long way to go before the long-delayed renovation work finally becomes a reality. For, the renovation plan prepared by the Goa State Urban Development Agency-appointed consultant is yet to pass the test from the State Conservation Committee given that the Portuguese-era municipal building is a heritage structure.

That’s not all. The moot question as to who will fund the Rs 15 crore renovation project, also remains unanswered.

The GSUDA-appointed consultant has submitted the plan to the agency, which has in turn forwarded a copy to the Margao Municipal Council for information and action.  GSUDA had roped in the consultant to prepare the renovation plan upon a request from the Margao Municipal Council over a year ago.

Given that the consultant has proposed changes in the heritage structure, questions are raised whether the plan will be once again placed before the Council meeting for approval. Questions are also being raised whether the plan will be on public display in order to invite suggestions and objections from the public.

The Goan understands that the consultant has proposed changes in the structures, including a mezzanine floor on the first floor of the building to house Municipal records and documents.

Given that the over centenary-old municipal building is not disabled-friendly with no easy access for the Persons with Disabilities, sources said the consultant has proposed elevators in the heritage building to address the issue.

While the heritage structure had received a cosmetic touch with a fresh coat of the original brick red paint, the building interior had indeed been craving for attention for over a decade now. Reason: There’s been water seepage inside the building during the monsoons. Two years ago, the ceiling of the building passage adjoining the chamber of the civic chief had come crumbling down, indicating that all’s isn’t well with the heritage building.

The last time the Margao Municipal building had undergone repairs and renovation was around two decades ago ahead of the centenary celebration of the Portuguese era building. The rot, however, set in the municipal building over the last one decade for want of upkeep and maintenance.

Though the councillors have been unanimous all along in support of the demand for the renovation of the municipal building, funding the project had come in the way of its execution.

Margao Municipal Chief Officer Melvyn Vaz has confirmed that the MMC has received the renovation plan from GSUDA. He said the plan will be placed before the Council for appropriate decision.

Govt may fund building restoration

A Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) official informed that the agency had engaged a consultant to prepare the renovation plan for the Margao Municipal building upon a request from the Margao civic body.

The official, however, did not rule out the possibility of the government funding the renovation project. “GSUDA had engaged the consultant to prepare the renovation plan and the estimates. The project will now cost around Rs 15 crore. Given that the MMC may find it difficult to arrange the huge funds, the government may step in to bear the cost of the renovation project,” the official said.

The GSUDA official further said that the agency will simultaneously approach the State Conservation Committee for its nod for the changes proposed in the heritage structure. “The mezzanine floor has been proposed on the first floor of the heritage building in order to utilise the space for storage of official documents. Right now, the MMC is stacking the documents in cupboards dotting in the building corridors,” the official added.