MARGAO
Strange it may seem, but true that a government building is being covered with plastic sheets, apparently to stop the water seepage in the ensuing monsoons.
Well, blue-coloured plastic sheets now cover the rooftop of the Margao Civil and Criminal Courts complex. Reason: There was no early sign of the PWD undertaking the repair work on the heritage court building, leaving the authorities with no option than to cover the building rooftop with plastic cover.
The building roof has been covered with the plastic sheets apparently after the PWD ruled out the possibility of starting the repair work before the onset of the ensuing monsoons.
In fact, the civil and criminal courts complex has been craving for attention with the heritage tag for some time now.
Exactly a month ago on May 10, the South Goa Advocates Association had dashed off a letter to the court authorities with a plea to undertake urgent repair work of the advocates room, located on the first floor of the Civil and Criminal Courts Complex, Margao.
In the letter, Association president Adv Prasad Naik was clear in pointing out that the South Goa Advocates Bar Room, located on the first floor of the Civil and Criminal Courts Complex, Margao, is at present, in a dilapidated condition and it requires urgent repair and maintenance work.
“The roof/false ceiling of the advocates room has developed cracks and holes at various places and during the monsoon season, this will result in leakage and water seepage inside the bar room. There is also a serious possibility of the false ceiling collapsing and creating a threat to the advocates, ” he said.
He added: “On account of the water seepage, the walls of the advocates room are dampened and paint has peeled off at various places. The dampening of walls also poses a threat to our library section, which is housed in the same room. The walls require painting and the water seepage requires to be cured.”
When The Goan called upon the officials of the PWD, Buildings to shed light on the delay in carrying out the repairs, the officials attributed the delay to a host of reasons, including the reason that contractors are not taking up works because of the non-revision of the GSR rates. “The PWD had prepared the estimates to take up the repairs. The estimates were sent for government approval. However, since the GSR rates have not been revised, contractors do not come forward to take up the works since the rates of construction material have gone up manifold,” the official added.
