Shiv Sainiks cry foul over Goa govt's bid to restore fort

FORT VERSUS HOTEL: Shiv Sainiks claim that Goa Govt is trying to convert the Reis Magus Fort into a hotel.

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Panaji: A 300-year-old fort is the site of a fresh controversy in Goa.

Originally built by Sultan Adil Shah in 1551, the Reis Magos Fort today stands in ruins. But Goa Government's plan to restore it has run into a roadblock.

“This project was initiated by the earlier government. They are trying to convert the fort into a residential complex with hotel in the guise of renovation. It’s a cultural heritage site and we can’t allow this to happen,” says Shiv Sena worker Bhalchandra Naik.

However, the project directors have denied any commercial motive behind the renovation.

INTACH and the state directorate of Archives and Archaeology are carrying out the restoration work in collaboration with a British trust.

“There is no hotel at all. We have no commercial intentions in the fort. But the fort should sustain its own maintainance. That’s why there are some innovative plans,” says Architect, Reis Magus Fort, Gerard Da Cunha.

With the Shiv Sena promising to take the matter to court, the dispute is only set to worsen.