On June 1 2023, Emphasising the need to promote heritage tourism in Goa, Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira said that Corjuem Fort will be promoted and various events, including an annual Corjuem festival, will be held at the fort. He was speaking during an inspection of the fort along with minister for archives and archaeology Subhash Phal Dessai and other department officials. Phal Dessai thanked Ferreira for taking up the initiative of restoring the fort.
“A lot of development was pending due to want of land surrounding the fort. We have got possession of the land for taking future works. He convinced the land owners around the fort to part with the land. We will see how best to compensate them. The renovation works amount to Rs 2.30 crore and it is expected to be complete in 8 months. The MLA has suggested a regular calendar event to inform people that there is a nice place here. This is a nice fort, with lush green surroundings and a picturesque view. We will explore the plan of a self-sustaining model so that maintenance can be taken care of,” he said.
Stating that conservation is not simply building as restoration takes a lot of effort, Ferreira thanked the minister for following up on the work of the Corjuem fort. “I had requested the minister to expedite the work. After he had pointed out that there was inadequate land to take up work, I obtained the NOC from my cousin Dr. Jaime Rangel who along with his sister Dr. Nadia Rangel Pinto, have handed over the NOC to the Minister. With this, beautification works around the fort can also be taken up,” he said. Ferreira also mooted an annual Corjuem festival at the fort.
“Goa is not only about sand and sea, there is beauty around the state as well. We talk about heritage tourism that includes forts and old houses, and Goa’s ancient history. That is the Goa which is required to be portrayed which was thus far kept in the background. We want to have an annual Corjuem festival at the fort. it will allow our locals to come here and give a chance for stage artistes to perform. We want to project our rural areas and boost the local economy so that we can generate some revenue that is needed. People will come in large numbers, they want to see such things.’