Panaji, August 13 — The Goa government has announced that the historic Mardangad Fort in Ponda will be officially notified for protection and conservation. The decision was revealed in the Goa Legislative Assembly on August 8 by Archaeology Minister Subhash Phal Desai, in response to a resolution moved by Vasco MLA Krishna (Daji) Salkar.
The Mardangad Conservation Committee has welcomed the announcement, crediting the achievement to its sustained campaign. The fort, the only one personally built by Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, is seen as a symbol of the Maratha ruler’s courage and valor. Minister Subhash Phal Desai has assured steps for its conservation, beautification, and the construction of an access road.
Alongside the notification, the committee has urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to set up a “Fort Development Authority” in Goa, similar to Maharashtra, to oversee the conservation and promotion of all forts in the state.
The committee has also placed three specific demands before the government:
1. Research, document, and officially notify the history of Mardangad at the earliest.
2. Install an information board at the fort detailing its history.
3. Include details about Mardangad, built by Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, in school textbooks to educate future generations.
