Goa’s Aguada Fort always finds itself on travellers’ list of ‘must-visit places’ given its Dil Chahta Hai fame and soon, the tourists will have yet another reason to visit this famous point in the coastal state. As per the statement of Goa’s Chief Minister, this vacant cell built on the principles of the Portuguese school of architecture will be revamped into a museum by March 2021. Testifying the state’s struggle for liberation, this prison-museum is being developed at an estimated cost of ₹22 crores, under the Centre’s ‘Swadesh Darshan Scheme’.
Goa’s All-New Prison Museum to get functional by March this year
Lying vacant since 2015, this iconic fort, standing at Sinquerim village near the Mandovi river in North Goa district is being developed under the authority of Goa Tourism Development Cooperation. Besides being a tourist attraction, the GTDC will also list the prison-museum as a heritage site. The Chief Minister reportedly stated that the conversion process of this 17th Century Portuguese structure is in its last leg, with only 10% of work left.
By March, this historic jail will open for tourists from India and abroad, as a museum that will showcase Goa’s freedom struggle. The Chief Minister’s statement further elaborated that the new museum will have 2 special cells, which will be dedicated to freedom fighters T Cunha and Ram Manohar Lohia who were jailed here during the Portuguese rule in the state. These lock-ups will stand as star-highlights for the tourists here.
