VASCO:
“This has been done in order to avoid congestion in the cells on the ground floor. The other inmates will be adjusted in the remaining cells,” informed Gomes. Gomes added that despite several correspondences to the PWD (building) informing it about the cracks and weak slab at Sada, the authority failed to take necessary action due to which the portion of the ceiling of cell 10 collapsed on Sunday night. When contacted, PWD (building division) assistant engineer A D Nagarchi said they inspected the jail on Monday morning and found cracks in the cantilever in cell numbers 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 on the first floor. The five cells are unsafe to house the inmates until the repairs are done, he added. Nagarchi said the moment there is a dry spell, the work will be carried out on a war-footing. When asked about the condition of the entire building, Nagarchi said the jail building is about 20 years old and there is no danger to the structure. It may be recalled that on Sunday at about 9 pm, a portion of the slab in cell number 10 on the first floor collapsed, forcing the jail authority to evacuate all the inmates from the cells located on the first floor and adjust them in the jail office, hall and basement.
