GTDC Chairman reviews up-gradation of old Aguada Jail with GHAG and freedom fighters

• The Rs 25.8 crore project aims at restoring and reviving history and heritage
• Light and Sound shows depicting Goa’s freedom struggle, historical landmarks to be maintained and displayed prominently
• Tourist amenities to be set up
• GTDC involves Goa Heritage Action Group and freedom fighters, joint meeting and site inspection conducted

Panjim, May 13 : Central Jail Aguada, Goa’s erstwhile and largest prison, whose cells stand on the site that once formed the square-shaped citadel of the hilltop Fort Aguada, is all set for a major transformation. Since May 30, 2015, this prison no longer houses inmates who have now been shifted to the new jail at Colvale.

Nonetheless Central Jail, Aguada, will not stand forgotten as it will soon join Dhagshai Jail, Himachal Pradesh and the Cellular Jail, Andaman’s as a Jail Museum.

While Dhagshai Jail, Himachal Pradesh and the Cellular Jail, Andaman’s are dated back to the British era, the Central Jail, Aguada dates to the Portuguese rule.

The Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s mega project to convert the old Central Jail, Aguada into a Museum is taking solid ground and the spade work has already begun.

The Corporation has involved both the Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) and Goa’s freedom fighters in this project as the Aguada Jail Museum project intends reviving and restoring history, heritage and will encompass it all as an attractive location for tourists visiting Goa. A joint meeting and site inspection was carried out on April 28 and May 7 respectively where project plans were placed across the table and GTDC solicited views and suggestions from GHAG and the freedom fighters. GHAG’s Prajal Sakhardande and Jack Sukhija , while freedom fighters Nagesh Karmali and Libia Lobo Sardesai made valuable suggestions during the interactions with GTDC officials and the team of engineers and consultants.

The 17the century structure has some historical landmarks within and Darashaw & Co. Pvt. Ltd. , the project development Consultants have researched and surveyed every aspect of the structure that will need to be given prominence based on the historicity and heritage value.

One of the major highlights will include bringing to life Goa’s freedom struggle through Sound and Light shows and paying tributes to the valiant and heroic deeds of young men and women who sacrificed their lives for Goa’s Liberation.

The Master Plan for developing Aguada Jail at Sinquerim into a tourist destination includes creating activity zones, viewing galleries, amenity zones, tourist information centers, improvement of temple and chapel areas, improving the prison cells, prison corridors, walls, pathways, seating, water fountains, illumination of the jail campus, café, improvement of the aquifier duct area and a lot more.

Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation said, “The old Central Jail at Aguada, Sinquerim is very well known not only as a prison but for its history and heritage. Now a vacant structure, GTDC has requested the government to make it a tourist spot and the Corporation has started working on a project that will preserve the heritage structure and showcase Goa’s freedom struggle and be a true tribute to the heroic deeds and glorious sacrifices of all those who took part in Goa’s Liberation.”

Mr. Prajal Sakhardande of Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) said, “We are very happy with the project proposal and thank the GTDC and Goa Tourism for taking us into confidence. We have fervently requested the tourism officials to ensure that the historicity and heritage of Aguada Jail be well maintained and landmarks within the Jail projected prominently. We are confident that this project once completed will enhance the history and heritage of Aguada Jail. This place will be a happening place and the GTDC and Goa Tourism should ensure that it remains in public domain.”