Goa’s old Central Jail to be converted into museum

The Central Jail in Aguada, Goa’s largest prison dating back to the Portuguese rule, is being converted into a jail museum. The project with a budget of Rs 25.8 crore aims at restoring its heritage. Since May 30, 2015, this prison no longer houses inmates who have now been shifted to the new jail at Colvale. Work for Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s mega project to convert the old Central Jail into a museum is already underway and the Corporation has involved both the Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) and Goa’s freedom fighters. A joint meeting and site inspection has been carried out where project plans were placed across the table and GTDC solicited views and suggestions from GHAG and the freedom fighters.
Nilesh Cabral, Chairman, Goa Tourism Development Corporation said, “The old Central Jail is well known not only as a prison but for its history and heritage. Now a vacant structure, GTDC has requested the government to make it a tourist spot and the Corporation has started working on a project that will preserve the heritage structure and showcase Goa’s freedom struggle.”