Transfer 2.5k km of land at Betul fort to govt: CM

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said on Tuesday that the state government has written to the commissionerate of customs asking it to transfer 2,500sqm of land at the 17th century Betul fort to the government. The state intends to undertake restoration of the place and declare it a protected monument, he said.
The fort was built by Shivaji at the mouth of the Sal and overlooks the 25km coastline of Salcete. The fort was built by the Maratha warrior at that strategic location to launch attacks on Portuguese-dominated trade routes.
Sawant said that representatives of the state government and customs held two meetings over handing over the land. He added that archaeology minister Subhash Phal Dessai and his department are working to revive all historic monuments like temples, forts, etc.
Speaking at Shivrajyabhishek Din on the 350th anniversary of Shivaji’s coronation at Betul fort, Sawant said that 350 years ago, the Portuguese started destroying temples in the state. “When Shivaji came to Goa, he constructed the Saptakoteshwar temple in Narve and the temple destruction was stopped in the state after Shivaji confronted the Portuguese,” he said. The chief minister urged the education and archaeology departments to conduct programmes to create awareness about Shivaji’s achievements and history.
“At least on the 60th anniversary of Goa’s Liberation, the time has come to clear Portuguese deeds and have a fresh start,” said Sawant.
The CM said that if India must be a developed nation by 2047, “we have to work to make Goa a developed state when the country completes 100 years”.