MARGAO
The SGPDA has also directed the builder to first carry out remedial and precautionary measures to prevent further landside and restore and strengthen the exposed face of earth by way of backfilling/construction of the retaining wall, soil nailing, etc, by involving experts in the field.
The SGPDA’s notice comes against the backdrop of the visit to the site by the TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai along with SGPDA member secretary Ashok Kumar, senior town planner James Mathew, PWD senior engineer P Panandikar and others on Thursday afternoon. During the inspection, the Minister issued directions to the PDA to order all stop to the ongoing building work and instead take up rectification work, including soil nail of the wall hit by landslide.
In the stop work order notice, the PDA has further directed to notify the proposed work of stabilization to this Authority, Margao Municipal Council and the South Goa Disaster Management Cell along with the certification by the builder’s structural engineer/agency of repute.
Saying that the part compound wall along with the pile of soil has collapsed on the northern side of the boundary, the PDA member secretary has observed that the builder had not taken adequate precautionary measures while constructing the basement involving deep excavation of soil which has led to the landside and which is causing danger to the neighboring building complex located to the northern side of the plot.
During his visit, the TCP Minister made it clear to the officials that the job of reinstating the earth rests on the builder, while issuing strict instructions that work on the project will resume only after complying with
the directions.
“The PWD, NH officials have recommended soil nailing technology to prevent further mudslide and collapse of the adjoining building. PWD officials said the work can be completed within 10 days, but I have given extra five days for the builder to comply with the directives,” he said.
Meanwhile, the authorities excavated the rubble and debris at the mudslide site around midnight, but could not find any labourer trapped inside the debris.
Officials said only two labourers had sustained injuries in the mudslide and they are convalescing at a city
private hospital.
