VASCO
Besides monitoring law and order around Dabolim airport, two police offices at the old Dabolim airport have been confronted by an impending danger right under their roof.
With ongoing demolition operations of the old terminal building barely metres away, cracks have already developed at the Dabolim airport police station and the Traffic Cell, posing a serious threat to the staff.
Despite being aware that the police staff are still using the premises, the toilets of the police offices have been demolished, depriving the police staff of washrooms.
“Everytime the drilling machine is put to work, the entire complex starts vibrating and staff have to come out of the police station for safety,” a source at the Dabolim police told The Goan.
“The AAI offices and staff have already been shifted to a safer location in the new building, while we have been left here in the old terminal. How could they have gone ahead with the demolition while we are still occupying the building?” “To make matters worse, our toilets have been demolished and this has caused great hardship for all police and traffic cell staff in the absence of a washroom,” the source added.
Another source informed that a large crack has appeared on the roof of the old terminal building, adding that a piece of slab has also fallen in the traffic outpost office.
Incidentally, many staffers from the cargo department also occupy space in the old terminal and live in constant fear, but are reluctant to speak out fearing action from their superiors. “If we speak out, we may be sacked from our jobs or we may be denied entry passes to the airport,” said one cargo staffer.
Sources in the police department informed that police officials are likely to hold a meeting with airport officials to take a stock of the situation and to shift the police staff to a safer place.
Workers demolishing only outer
area of old terminal: Contractor
VASCO: The contractor involved in the demolition operation said his workers had begun demolition of only the outer area of the old terminal.
Mohammed Zameer, who has been awarded the contract to demolish the old terminal building at Dabolim Airport said he was informed that the staff occupying the old terminal building would be shifted by February 28. “Hence, we had begun the demolition of only the outer area of the old terminal like the bridge.
“We face difficulties at times when the police occupying the old terminal building question our staff while demolition work is in progress. Sometimes they are outside their police and traffic offices during the demolition work,” said Zameer.
