Monte chapel, Sakhali fort to lead government’s accessibility drive

PANAJI: In an ambitious move to enable persons with disabilities to gain easy accessibility to some of Goa’s most iconic monuments, the state government is planning to introduce disabled-friendly facilities at some sites.

“There is going to be a ramp erected at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Monte, Old Goa, so that a wheelchair can be easily pushed up till the chapel. The work order for the same was issued prior to the code of conduct; the work is therefore already under execution,” an official from the department of archaeology told TOI.

“We will have to gauge and see how this initiative works out at the chapel. After that, we will provide this facility in restoration projects of other monuments,” he added.

The chapel, which completes 500 years this year, is best known as the venue of the annual Monte Music Festival, which began in 2002 after its restoration by Fundacao Oriente.

The monument is perched upon a hill that overlooks much of Old Goa, parts of Ribandar and some of the riverine islands of the Mandovi. Lately, the scenic spot is regularly placed in itineraries of discerning tourists. By making the breathtaking views accessible to the differently-abled, the state is set to open new doors in its efforts towards inclusion.

The department is also in the process of restoring the Sakhali fort wherein similar facilities will be built. “We will make a provision for a ramp at the Sakhali fort so that differently-abled people can also easily access the premises,” the official said.