the goan I network
QUEPEM
The PWD stopped work of a retaining wall at the “Tollea Bund” in Igramoll-Quepem, after an alert villager raised alarm over substandard material being used in construction work.
According to reports, the villager, identified as Minguel, confronted the contractor and labourer over the use of stone crusher waste residue powder, commonly called as “Muras”, in the concrete mixture instead of sand.
The villager then alerted AAP Quepem Coordinator Patricia Fernandes who, in turn, contacted the PWD Assistant Engineer Swapnil Dessai and demanded that the work be stopped immediately.
Following a complaint by Minguel and the AAP coordinator, the PWD stopped the work.
When The Goan reached the construction site, Minguel said the contractor had assured them that he has over 20 truckloads of sand stored at his residence and the work would be done using pure sand for all construction.
Minguel, however, pointed out to the huge piles of crusher waste powder stored on the bund itself which was smeared on top with coarse river sand to disguise it as sand. He dug inside the pile and all crusher residue powder came out.
“I had personally called the PWD Assistant Engineer about the substandard material used by the contractor and the work had stopped for the day. But within three days, the contractor was all ready to restart the work using the same waste powder.”
“I the confronted the labourer who had come with the concrete mixer truck and another truck loaded with stone crusher residue powder.” Minguel alleged that the contractor has also used waste material from a factory instead of laterite stones at the base for foundation and also reported the matter to the assistant engineer.
When contacted, PWD Asst Engineer Swapnil Dessai informed that he has directed the contractor to stop work and remove all the sub-standard material from the site.
“However, there is shortage of sand and hence the project will be delayed and will not be completed within the given time period,” said Dessai, but assured The Goan that he would personally monitor the removal of sub-standard material.The construction work will be carried out only by using sand,” said Dessai.
Later, the waste material used in the foundation was removed following complaints from the villager.
