Day ahead of PM visit, Goa Minister alleges corruption in heritage fort project

Panaji, Dec 18 Goa BJP's Ports Minister Michael Lobo on Saturday alleged corruption in the restoration and the handing over of a historic fort to a private agency, a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the coastal state on Sunday.

Lobo said while he welcomes Modi to Goa, he said that corruption was involved in the fort project, which is scheduled to be inaugurated at the hands of the Prime Minister on December 19, the 60th anniversary of the state's Liberation from Portuguese rule.

"This has historic importance. This history and monument should not be given in anybody's hands. The keys to the fort should not be given in someone else's custody. I have said I am not a party to this decision in the cabinet. The CM agreed that this fort will not be outsourced and given in somebody else's hands," Lobo told reporters, a day ahead of Modi's visit.

The Aguada fort was originally built in the 17th century by the Portuguese colonists, to serve as a coastal sentinel to guard against the roving Dutch and Maratha navies and as a water-refilling station for passing ships, before it was subsequently put to use as a high security prison by the colonial administration.

After the liberation of Goa, the facility also served as a central jail, until a more modern prison facility was built at Colvale village in North Goa. Part of the prison complex was leased out to a five star hotel group decades ago.

The government has now resolved to hand-over the renovated fort to a private agency for maintenance to run its business operation.

According to a government statement, the re-development of Aguada Fort Jail Museum as a Heritage Tourism destination has been carried out under the Central government's Swadesh Darshan Scheme at a cost of over Rs 28 crore.

A museum inside the fort precincts will highlight the contributions and sacrifices made by the prominent freedom fighters who fought for the liberation of Goa and will be befitting tribute to them, the statement also said.

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