PANAJI
Amidst the incomplete renovation of the Charles Correa masterpiece -- Kala Academy -- an entire slab of the open auditorium collapsed in the late hours of Sunday.
While Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Public Works Minister Nilesh Cabral wasted no time in calling for a thorough investigation, the Opposition picked the opportunity to criticize the government, particularly Minister for Art & Culture Govind Gaude, for the alleged botched repair works.
The incident incidentally occurred on the eve of the monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly and the Opposition echoed demand for Gaude’s resignation.
Also the Chairman of Kala Academy, Gaude promptly rushed to the site around midnight and inspected the venue early Monday morning well before this news went viral and followed by VIP visits.
Sawant, who had just supervised the destruction of seized drugs at Kundaim Industrial Estate, reached the premises with PWD Minister Cabral and Principal Chief Engineer Uttam Parsekar in the afternoon.
Sawant ordered a detailed inquiry into the collapse and stated that further details would be provided once the inspection concludes. Cabral added that his department will release a white paper after receiving the report.
While sources claimed that IIT Chennai is likely to be roped in to inspect the collapsed slab, government records indicate that in 2019, the State had acknowledged the fragile state of the open auditorium.
A structural audit conducted by Goa Engineering College and Mumbai-based consultancy firm Gem Engserv Pvt Ltd reportedly confirmed that the building needed repairs but deemed the open-air slab to be in good condition. However, a report from another agency appointed by the PWD remains unknown.
“The structural stability report did not make any recommendations because the auditorium was found to be in good condition… It is unfortunate the incident occurred, but fortunately, there were no casualties. Moreover, it is better that the incident happened during the renovation and not after its completion, otherwise the consequences could have been worse,” Gaude said while speaking to The Goan.
The minister reiterated that this portion was not covered in the renovation but it will now undergo repairs. “We were supposed to only paint this part of the auditorium to match it with the renovated portion,” he added.
During his initial inspection around midnight, Gaude claimed he was the first to direct the engineers to investigate the cause of the slab collapse. He also clarified that the slab was made of steel fabrication with a 10 cm concrete layer on top.
When asked whether the ongoing works could have weakened the portion of the open-air auditorium, Gaude did not deny the possibility.
“It is quite possible... It’s a 43-year-old structure,” he replied.
A preliminary inquiry on Monday morning revealed that the cantilever had come out, which could have twisted the bolt and resulted in the collapse of the slab.
With the current situation, the KA Chairman indicated that the completion of the ongoing works could further delay.
