Goa Cabinet today approved the proposal of the state tourism development corporation to convert the Portuguese-era Aguada jail into a heritage tourism spot.
"The state cabinet has approved the proposal by Goa Tourism Development Corporation to convert the jail into heritage tourism project under Swadesh Darshan guidelines," Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar told reporters today.
Swadesh Darshan is a central government scheme launched for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
Also Read
He said the Union Ministry of Tourism has already sanctioned Rs 25.85 crore for this project, which will convert this erstwhile prison into Heritage Tourism destination.
Parsekar said as per the proposal before the cabinet, the Director of Archives and Archaeology has also suggested that the premises be developed as a museum of freedom struggle considering the historic value of the precinct.
Since May 30, 2015, the prison no longer houses inmates who have now been shifted to new jail at Colvale.
The GTDC, in its statement earlier this year, had said the erstwhile central jail will soon be developed on lines with Dhangshai Jail of Himachal Pradesh and cellular Jail of Andaman.
The GTDC has involved Goa Heritage Action Group and State's freedom fighters to revive and restore the history and heritage and make it an attractive location for tourists.
