The South Goa Collector’s over enthusiasm to satisfy hispolitical boss and the government’s decision to have a “soft” opening onJanuary 25 has come a cropper.
In complete volte face the government on January 22announced that the shifting to the new collectorate building has been postponedindefinitely.
The Goan last week had pointed out to the glaring incompleteworks and debris within the construction site and questioned the Collector’shaste to shift into the new building.
Agarwal, who has been given a special one-year extension bythe government, tried his best to get MVR Construction to double up andcomplete all pending works to help inaugurate the building on January 25.
His dream fell flat after the Directorate of Fire Servicesdeclared the building unfit, while the GSIDC claimed the Collector’s plan toshift in the new building, as “over ambitious”.
“We had given certain recommendations of hose pipes,sprinklers, water vaults and tanks to be installed at the start of theconstruction. But during the inspection we found that no water arrangement wasmade at the site,” said Ajit Kamat, Fire Officer, Directorate of Fires ServicesPanjim.
“We can’t risk precious documents and archives from variousoffices to be moved here,” the fire officer said.
GSIDC Managing Director, Sanjit Rodrigues admitted that theCollector was over ambitious to move into the building early.
“Every client wants his house to be built at a specific timebut the contractor needs time to see that everything is in place,” Rodriguessaid.
MVR’s contractors blamed the Collector and the PrincipalSecretary, Industries, Perimal Raj for demanding too many changes, which led tothe delay
MVR, however, were tight lipped on giving a definite date ofcompleting the project.
“We will not be able to shift to the new collectoratebuilding on January 25. We will access the work and push for an immediatetransfer to new premises,” Collector N D Agarwal said.
