After a series of reports published by TOI stating that the state plans to demolish Kala Academy’s open-air auditorium, the high court of Bombay at Goa has taken suo motu cognisance of these news reports and asked the state government for a response within two weeks. 

Advocate general Devidas Pangam assured the high court that no hasty decisions are proposed to be taken in the matter, and that at present, Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has only invited tenders for appointment of structural auditors. 

“Unless a suitable structural auditor is considered at the highest levels, no action for demolition, as reported in newspapers, will be taken,” he told the court. 

The two-judge bench of justices M S Sonak and Nutan D Sardessai directed the state government and the Kala Academy administration to file affidavits on the issue within two weeks. 

“The suo motu writ petition to now come up for hearing on August 19,” the high court said. 

Minister for art and culture Govind Gaude had told TOI that the government was planning to demolish a part of the Charles Correa-designed structure, which has hosted several artistes of repute. 

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This year, as a preemptive measure, Kala Academy has covered the open-air auditorium’s seating area with a tailor-made tarpaulin sheet to protect it from the rain. The sheet, worth Rs 3 lakh, has been spread so that rainwater cascades down the slope and empties directly into the drains.