Building remains neglected for five years; apprehensions of a disaster if repairs are not carried out on top priority
MARGAO
The cracks on the walls have widened, the incomplete state-of-the-art audio studio isolated and the damaged pavers outside remain ‘shaky’. All of these bear testimony to the fact that the monumental and imposing Ravindra Bhavan complex at Margao remains neglected for close to five years.
Newly-appointed Member Secretary Ajit Panchwadkar has apprehended what Madgavkars have been worried about over the last four years – that the inordinate delay in undertaking repairs on the imposing building may lead to a disaster and loss of life and property.
Indeed, yet another International Film Festival of India is underway in the capital city, but the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao – which had played host to IFFI 2011 when city MLA Digambar Kamat was the state Chief Minister – is craving for government attention since the last five years.
The cracks in the walls reflect the state of neglect and the government’s apathy to step in and stem the rot. And, not to mention the damaged inter-locking pavers on the rear side of the building, which need to be changed. That’s not all. The Rs 61 lakh state-of-the-art audio studio – work on which had begun during IFFI 2011 – still lies abandoned within the Ravindra Bhavan complex.
Indeed, several questions have come to the fore over the government’s delay in addressing the problems staring at the Ravindra Bhavan since the last five years.
Questions are raised whether the government did not step in to repair the infrastructure laid by the government during IFFI 2011 with the Rs 14 crore renovation work coming under the Vigilance/Anti-corruption Bureau scanner. Or, has work on the state-of-the art audio studio come to a grinding halt on the same reason that the Vigilance is probing into the tendering process. And, what has stopped the government from taking up simple works such as repairs of the damaged pavers during the last five years?
Ravindra Bhavan Chairman, Damu Naik, sought to clarify that the institution has no role to play in the repairs, upkeep and maintenance of the bhavan, saying it falls within the domain of the parent department, Art and Culture. He, however, hastened to add that the repairs and maintenance of the building could not commence since the matter is pending with the Vigilance.
“The matter over the renovation of the building as well as the construction of the audio studio is pending with the Vigilance department. May be because the Vigilance department has not disposed of these cases, the government could not step in during the last four years and half,” Damu said, adding that the government had recently carried out repairs of the pavers on the parking side.
Newly-appointed Ravindra Bhavan Member Secretary Ajit Panchwadkar, however, struck a warning note, apprehending that a disaster is in the making if the repairs are not carried out on top priority. In fact, Panchwadkar has dashed off a letter to the Director of Art and Culture and the Principal Chief Engineer, PWD, drawing their attention to the state of affairs of the bhavan.
“After a physical inspection of the building, I am apprehensive that the present situation may lead to a disaster and loss of life and property,” he said, while lamenting that the department of Art and Culture and the PWD did not pay heed to the host of correspondence made by the Ravindra Bhavan seeking their intervention since 2014.
Incidentally, when The Goan contacted Vigilance Director Narayan Sawant to shed light on the pending inquiry, he was categorical in saying the agency is not involved in any probe into the renovation of the building. He, however, hastened to add that the inquiry carried out by the Vigilance cell into the tendering of the audio studio is now in the final stages of disposal.
Interestingly, the Anti-Corruption Bureau too has clarified that the agency is not involved in any inquiry into the 2011 renovation work on the Ravindra Bhavan, raising the moot question as to what had prevented the government from undertaking the repairs and general upkeep of the
infrastructure laid by the previous government ahead of IFFI 2011.
