KA’s proposed demolition: HC steps in

PANAJI: After a series of reports published by TOI stating that the state plans to demolish Kala Academy’s open-air auditorium, the high court of Bombay at Goa has taken suo motu cognisance of these news reports and asked the state government for a response within two weeks.
Advocate general Devidas Pangam assured the high court that no hasty decisions are proposed to be taken in the matter, and that at present, Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has only invited tenders for appointment of structural auditors.
“Unless a suitable structural auditor is considered at the highest levels, no action for demolition, as reported in newspapers, will be taken,” he told the court.
The two-judge bench of justices M S Sonak and Nutan D Sardessai directed the state government and the Kala Academy administration to file affidavits on the issue within two weeks.
“The suo motu writ petition to now come up for hearing on August 19,” the high court said.
Minister for art and culture Govind Gaude had told TOI that the government was planning to demolish a part of the Charles Correa-designed structure, which has hosted several artistes of repute.
“As per my knowledge, the open-air auditorium cannot be repaired or renovated. We have to demolish it and reconstruct it,” Gaude had told TOI.
A year ago, the Academy officials had noticed rainwater seeping through the amphitheatre’s structure into the black box beneath it. All hall bookings at the open-air auditorium were then stopped.
Senior Academy officials told TOI that Goa Engineering College (GEC) had already assessed the building and submitted a report to them that the auditorium structure is weak. It was now awaiting a report from GSIDC to get a second opinion on the entire structure’s health.
This year, as a preemptive measure, Kala Academy has covered the open-air auditorium’s seating area with a tailor-made tarpaulin sheet to protect it from the rain. The sheet, worth Rs 3 lakh, has been spread so that rainwater cascades down the slope and empties directly into the drains.
The decision of the state government to demolish a part of the iconic auditorium came in for severe criticism with experts questioning the intelligence behind such a move.
The Charles Correa Foundation also reacted strongly to these developments, stating that they had not been consulted, but would be happy to provide assistance or advice to stabilise and restore the building, which was completed in 1983.
The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA)–Goa chapter, along with the Institution of Engineers–Goa chapter, also plan to request Kala Academy to allow them to inspect the institution, review the two reports by GEC and GSIDC, and assist the academy in restoring and preserving the structure.
(With inputs from Lisa Monteiro)