MARGAO
Hopes have been finally raised that the heritage building housing the Margao Civil and Criminal Court building will be restored to its pristine glory.
For, top government officials comprising Law Secretary, Sandeep Jacques, IAS and South Goa district Collector, Jyoti Kumari, IAS along with Judges as well as PWD officials descended at the old court building for an inspection to take stock of the situation.
Even as plastic sheets continue to cover the rooftop of the heritage court building to stop seepage of rainwater, indicating that all isn’t well with the heritage structure, the inspection has raised hopes of a turnaround at the earliest.
As the Law Secretary and the South Goa Collector took stock of the situation, PWD Executive Engineer E D’Souza informed the delegation that the PWD has prepared estimates amounting to Rs 60-odd lakh to repair the building roof.
In fact, Engineer D’Souza further informed the delegation that the PWD will soon tender the work, promising that work on the repair project would start after shortlisting the contractor.
The Margao Civil and Criminal Court building was covered with plastic sheets to prevent seepage of rainwater during the monsoons. As it turned out, however, the building witnessed seepage, not just in the corridors, but in the open court rooms as well as in the chambers of the judicial officers.
The pathetic situation had forced members of the South Goa Advocates Association to stay away from the court for a day, prompting Law Minister Nilesh Cabral to rush to the court building and assure the lawyers that the government is seized of the problem.
The matter was later taken up by the High Court following an intervention petition filed by the South Goa Advocates Association.
Officials inspect site of new court building too
MARGAO: The delegation of senior government officials comprising the Law Secretary, Sandeep Jacques and South Goa Collector Jyoti Kumari also inspected the site of the proposed new building for the Margao Civil and Criminal Courts.
With the advocates raising fears that the parking facility proposed at the building will not suffice to accommodate vehicles of the lawyers and the litigants, it was decided that the South Goa district Collector will identify suitable place for parking for the vehicles.
As the delegation descended at the construction site, they came across the foundation and the columns at the site, indicating that work on the new Margao Civil and Criminal Court building has come to a halt.
Sources informed that the PWD officials explained to the delegation the reasons behind the work on the court building project coming to a halt and the process that has been completed to float a new tender.
On the concerns raised over paucity of space for vehicular parking in the proposed complex as well as the existing district court complex, it has been decided that the district Collector will identify suitable places for parking.
