PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa has asked the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department to list urgent steps to repair the Court building at Vasco-da-Gama Goa that has been reported to be in a precarious condition.
The State government initially sought four weeks to file a reply, however, the High Court insisted that the reply be filed within one week.
“The Executive Engineer will have to take this matter with utmost seriousness not just because it pertains to the court infrastructure but because several litigants, members of public, Judges, advocates and the staff have no option but to use this court premises,” the High Court division bench explained.
“The report indicates that even one or two balusters are likely to fall. Some leakages pose threats. There is a reference to a beam at the entrance which has developed cracks and is likely to collapse. If for any reason, the Executive Engineer finds it difficult to file an affidavit by April 20, 2022, then the Executive Engineer along with his superior officer must remain present in court personally on the next date and assure us about the steps that they propose to take in this matter,” the High Court bench of Justices M S Sonak and R N Laddha ruled.
“We have some firm commitment that the repairs will be attended to before the onset of the monsoon. Accordingly, we place this matter on April 20, 2022, by which date the concerned Executive Engineer of the PWD will let us know the timeline within which these works will be completed. The Executive Engineer will have to file an affidavit indicating this timeline and will further, have to ensure that the works are taken up on priority and completed,” the court said.
The Registrar (Adm) from the Principal District and Sessions Judge, South Goa, Margao via a communication dated March 17, 2022, accompanied a report detailing the perilous state of the structure of the Court building at Vasco-da-Gama Goa.
The report revealed that all the outer walls on the ground floor, as well as the first and second floor, have developed deep cracks and balusters are seen to be in totally damaged condition and part of the concrete pieces are falling not only during monsoons but frequently.
