MARGAO
The Public Works Department & PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral has a task cut out “ how to get the shortlisted contractor to supply, install and commission the screw chiller for the central air conditioning plant at Ravindra Bhavan Margao and ensure that tiatr goes on at the Pai Tiatrist hall?
The PWD headed by Minister Nilesh Cabral has come under the scanner of tiatr lovers as well as Ravindran Bhavan Margao officials. For, the PWD had issued a work order to a company dated July 15, 2022, to supply, install, test and commission the screw chiller for the central air conditioning plant of the Ravindra Bhavan, with a condition to complete it within the stipulated date on September 22.
To date, however, work on the installation and commissioning of the screw chiller for the central AC has not commenced.
Against the backdrop of the ugly episode wherein Ravindra Bhavan officials were left with no option but to suspend tiatr shows and events at the Pai Tiatrist hall last month, questions are being raised about whether the PWD will get the shortlisted contractor to execute the work and complete the same as per schedule.
On paper, the PWD has been in official touch with the contractor to execute the work.
On September 6, PWD Assistant Engineer-II Manuel Fernandes dashed off a letter to the company requesting to ensure the timely completion of the work within the stipulated date i.e. September 22.
The PWD Assistant Engineer even drew the attention of the contractor that the management of Ravindra Bhavan Margao is interested in the completion of the work at the earliest since the auditorium is being used by the general public for functions.
Incidentally, the PWD issued the work order on July 15, 2022, but work on the project is yet to commence.
Hardly 15 days are remaining for the stipulated date of completion of the project, i.e. by September 22, throwing up questions about whether the work will be completed within the set deadline.
When The Goan contacted the Member Secretary of Ravindra Bhavan Margao Agnelo Fernandes to shed light on the execution of the installation and commissioning of the air condition facility, he said his office has been pursuing the matter with the PWD.
"My office has been doing the follow-up with the PWD to get the contractor to execute the work. The PWD Assistant Engineer has replied saying that the department has requested the contractor to complete the project within the set deadline,” he said.
While keeping his fingers crossed over the completion of the project within the next 15 days, Agnelo underscored the need for all the agencies to take effective steps to ensure the show goes on at the Ravindra Bhavan.
Last month, the Ravindra Bhavan management suspended the staging of tiatr shows at the Pai Tiatrist hall on the plea that the central air conditioning unit is not fully functioning and may invite the wrath of the audience. The suspension was immediately withdrawn after the decision invited flak from the tiatr directors and producers as well as fans, questioning the rationale behind the decision.
While the tiatr shows have resumed at the Pai Tiatrist auditorium, sources in the know say the show will go on only if work on the installation and commissioning of the screw chiller for the central AC unit is taken to the logical conclusion before the lone chiller also develop a snag.
Delay in executing work order linked to reported attempts to change company?
MARGAO: Is the delay in executing the work order to install and commission the screw chiller at the Margao Ravindra Bhavan anything to do with reported attempts to change the company supplying the air conditioning equipment?
When The Goan drew the attention of the Member Secretary of Ravindra Bhavan Agnelo Fernandes to reports, attributing the delay to attempts being made to rope in a different company to supply the equipment, Agnelo said: “Let me make clear that one cannot change the company after the project was tendered and the work order issued. No change in the company supplying the equipment can take place at this juncture when the work order has been issued for the execution of the work.”
Agnelo added: “When the PWD has shortlisted a contractor to take up the work as per the specifications, I have no power to change the company supplying the equipment. They have to adhere to the specifications relating to the equipment.”
