MAPUSA
Condemning the incident of the collapse of the scaffolding at the new Zuari bridge construction site on Wednesday afternoon, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demanded registration of an FIR against Dilip Buildcon, who is the contractor of the bridge.
AAP has also demanded that an independent team of PWD engineers look into the incident and find the real cause of the mishap and government should take emergency measures to prevent further loss of property or life due to shoddy work by the contractor.
“Safety norms have been blatantly violated with no fencing provided to separate the construction area from the adjoining traffic. It is a matter of chance that the weak scaffolding collapsed now and not during pouring of concrete, which would have been a bigger disaster,” said Valmiki Naik, AAP spokesman while addressing a news conference in Mapusa.
He said it was only through divine providence that the incident did not lead to any fatalities.
He also said that the chance for further collapse and serious risk to commuters remained in the area.
Naik further alleged that the press release issued by Dilip Buildcon raised more questions than answers. “How could soil displacement from the adjoining excavated hillock cause the scaffolding to fall towards the
hillock? Is Dilip Buildcon guaranteeing that further soil displacement will not occur? In case of further soil displacement, the remainder of the scaffolding still has a probability of falling towards the road, posing a serious threat to life of commuters,” he said.
It may be recalled AAP had opposed the plans devised by the government and Dilip Buildcon for a traffic diversion at the cost of Goan taxpayer’s money.
AAP State General Secretary, Pradeep Padgaonkar, AAP leader Sunil Signapurkar also spoke at the news conference.
