Officials cast doubt over audit reports, structural stability tests conducted on buildings
the goan I network
MARGAO
Goa had witnessed a similar demand for an audit of old and dilapidated buildings, both government and private post-Ruby building collapse incident in 2014. Questions have come to the fore whether the audit of the old buildings was carried out in the first place and whether the reports were taken to its logical conclusion. Still, questions are raised whether the reports are gathering dust in the PWD and other government departments, besides the local self-government bodies for want of structural stability of these buildings.
A case in point is the ageing government residential buildings at Pajifond-Margao, owned by the PWD.
After the Canacona incident, then PWD Assistant Engineer, Franco Fernandes had dashed off a letter to the PWD higher ups to carry out the structural stability test in order to ascertain the stability of the dozen-odd old buildings. That was not the first time, PWD Div VIII had recommended a structural stability test of the decades-old buildings, believed to have been constructed way back in the 60’s and 70’s.
While the SOS sent by Div VIII had called for executing the work on the structural stability on a war footing, the ground reality, however, remained unchanged. PWD officials in the know have cast doubts whether any structural stability test was conducted on the residential buildings by the PWD.
Former Principal Chief Engineer, D G S Borkar had once told The Goan that the PWD is contemplating handing over the work of carrying out structural stability test to an expert agency from Mumbai for want of wherewithal and expertise with the department.
A couple of building blocks are indeed in a dilapidated state and have been craving for attention from the government, throwing up questions whether cosmetic repairs and a white wash will suffice to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of the structures.
Officials say that the PWD has executed work on strengthening the stability of the buildings by spending a huge amount, but none of the officials know whether the buildings are safe and fit for human habitation.
In the past, the PWD had evicted occupants of the government buildings at Arlem after the structures showed signs of crumbling. Grandiose plan by the PWD to construct a new residential building for government servants at Gogol is yet to see the light of day.
With Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai now a key member of the Manohar Parrikar-led government, holding the powerful TCP portfolio, beleaguered residents have decided to take up the issue with the MLA, seeking his intervention to ensure that the buildings are stable and safe.
Former PWD Assistant Engineer, Franco Fernandes had dashed off a letter to the PWD higher ups to carry out the structural stability test in order to ascertain the stability of the dozen-odd old buildings
The PWD Div VIII had also recommended a structural stability test
of the decades-old buildings
PWD is contemplating handing over the work of carrying out structural stability test to an expert agency from Mumbai for want of wherewithal and expertise with the department
