Kala Academy Turns Into Symbol of Neglect

Ignored Warnings, Hidden Audits, and Public Betrayal: Why #GoaCorruptionAcademy Is Exploding Online

The420.in
4 Min Read

On July 28, a portion of the false ceiling in the violin classroom of the recently renovated Kala Academy collapsed. Thankfully, the room was unoccupied, averting injuries. However, this incident has once again spotlighted the substandard quality of restoration work carried out at Goa’s premier cultural institution. Chunks of concrete also fell outside Udyog Bhavan near Azad Maidan, raising alarm over pedestrian safety and the structural integrity of government buildings.

This is not the first such incident. In 2021, the open-air auditorium’s stage roof collapsed, followed by leakage issues in the main auditorium, all under the same multi-crore renovation drive that critics say lacked transparency and accountability.

Rs 70 Crore Spent, No Tender Floated: Allegations of Graft Surface Again

The Kala Academy was renovated at an estimated cost of ₹60–70 crore. Critics have slammed the process as opaque and procedurally flawed, claiming no tender was floated and proper construction protocols were ignored. The project, overseen by contractor Techton Buildcon Pvt Ltd, has come under fire for allegedly executing shoddy work and bypassing safety norms.

Despite repeated warnings from the artist collective Rakhonn Manndd and a government-appointed task force, structural faults went unaddressed. The latest collapse, being the second in three months, has only intensified scrutiny, with the hashtag #GoaCorruptionAcademy now trending across social media platforms.

Cultural Icons Speak Out: ‘Goa’s Crown Jewel Turned into a Death Trap’

Artists and civil society members have expressed collective grief and anger. Cecille Rodrigues, secretary of Rakhonn Manndd, called the collapse a “sad day for Goa’s cultural identity,” condemning the government for turning a revered cultural landmark into a “symbol of corruption.” Member Francis Coelho demanded a forensic audit by IIT Madras and criminal prosecution of all involved, including government officials accused of cover-ups.

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Goa CM Pramod Sawant had earlier announced the blacklisting of Techton Buildcon and cancellation of its ₹4-year maintenance contract. However, opposition parties and public voices have criticized the delay in action and demanded complete transparency.

Task Force Reports Buried, Citizens Demand Criminal Action

A state-appointed task force had earlier flagged major technical faults in lighting, acoustics, and ambient noise control, submitting its report to CM Sawant months ago. But little action was taken until public backlash intensified.

Reports suggest that the PWD hid key engineering audits and the CM’s office ignored repeated requests for corrective measures. Citizens and artists are now calling for arrests, blacklisting of the contractor, and public release of all audit reports. Many argue that the Kala Academy, once an architectural masterpiece by Charles Correa, is now a cautionary tale of corruption in heritage restoration. The ceiling collapse at Kala Academy has become a flashpoint for broader allegations of systemic corruption in Goa’s infrastructure projects. As the state government scrambles to contain the fallout, citizens are demanding more than promises, they want accountability, audits, and justice. The collapse may have spared lives, but it has irreparably damaged public trust in how cultural heritage is being handled.

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