The slab of the open-air auditorium of Kala Academy came crashing down on late Sunday evening, throwing open a host of questions and again highlighting the need to relook at heritage structures across the State. The government has swiftly ordered an inquiry with the Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel directing the Principal Engineer, PWD, to investigate and submit a preliminary inquiry report, seek an explanation from the contractor and appoint an independent agency to ascertain the cause of the incident.
Although an inquiry has been initiated, it would be interesting to know how the structure, which had reportedly passed the stability test conducted in 2019 by Goa College of Engineering, Gem Engserv Pvt Ltd, Mumbai and IIT Madras, caved in nearly four years later. The question is whether engineers engaged in the structural audit failed to assess the damage or the weakness of the open-air auditorium or whether the structure has deteriorated over the last few years due to the impact of the ongoing works carried out alongside, also, whether the PWD failed to assess the impact of the renovation on other portions.
While the probe begins, the government cannot overlook the contractor’s role too. In pursuance of the cabinet decision to award the work to a specialised agency, M/s Techton Buildcon Pvt Ltd, with a registered office in Andheri-Mumbai, was hand-picked and given the contract for a cost of Rs 49.57 crore. The work included structural repairs and renovation of the Kala Academy, waterproofing, electrical works, external drainage and other civil works. Did the PWD oversee the contractor’s work on all parameters, and if yes, why were deadlines missed?
The art and culture minister claims the open-air auditorium was not within the scope of the renovation work because the structural audit did not make a case for it. That does not rest the issue. In fact, that is a more significant cause for concern because it is moving into unchartered territory. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has rightly called for an investigation, but the assessment of the impact of the ongoing works on the open-air auditorium at this stage when the renovation is nearly complete is questionable. If there were no checks and balances from the government, there would be a grey area in the probe.
The Kala Academy slab collapse comes close on the heels of a facade of the Urban Health Centre heritage structure coming down last week, followed by concrete pieces falling off the iconic Margao Municipality building. Several heritage structures are in dilapidated conditions and awaiting the government’s attention. While the inquiry is on, the government must swing into action and take stock of heritage structures across the State. There has to be periodic audit and stability checks. Less than a month’s rainfall has taken a toll on Goa’s heritage, exposing the sheer lack of maintenance.
Let the truth be told. The investigation report on Kala Academy must become public at the earliest, unlike the elusive vigilance probe on the project that is endlessly taking its time.
