Leaky roof plagues Manohar Parrikar Stadium, threatens to destroy pricey wood floor

Training of State badminton players disrupted due to dripping ceiling; buckets used to collect rainwater; Sports Authority of Goa only offers temporary fixes, claims the roof can’t be accessed due to rains
Leaky roof plagues Manohar Parrikar Stadium, threatens to destroy pricey wood floor
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PANJIM: The ceiling of the Manohar Parrikar indoor stadium in Navelim is leaking, disrupting the preparations of State badminton players. The rains have caused water to drip from the roof and form puddles on the wood floor, warping it.

Sharmad Mahajan, a badminton coach currently training players at the stadium, said, “The ceiling is leaking. The imported wooden floor is expensive and water accumulation can make it uneven. This entire infrastructure was built for the National Games. If it gets spoiled, we will not get the same quality. We must maintain it. This issue has persisted for the past two to three years.”

The National Games, originally scheduled for 2019, were postponed. Since the indoor stadium was built, the leakage problem has been ongoing without a permanent solution. Temporary measures like pipe fixtures have been used to address the issue. Mahajan added, “When the water accumulates, we have to clean it. Athletes can slip. The Sports Authority of Goa has been informed numerous times, but they keep finding temporary solutions. There are no ladders in the stadium to reach the exhaust fans where leakage is occurring.” Oscar Silveira, a veteran State player who plays daily, said this problem arises every year during the monsoon. He said, “I posted about it on Facebook. The authorities did some makeshift repairs to collect the water in a bucket. I hear plans are afoot to hold weddings and exhibitions in this indoor stadium, especially on Sundays. The wood is very expensive and should not be destroyed.”

Rajesh Naik, head of SAG South Goa, suggested speaking to Deepak Lotlikar, the executive engineer who handled the stadium’s construction. When asked about the leaks, Lotlikar denied that it was a persistent issue, stating that a gutter had been installed to fix the problem. He said that due to the rains, they were unable to access the roof. He explained that using the fans over time could cause cracks, leading to water leakage. “We have two ladders, and I have been on the roof before the onset of monsoon,” he said.

The stadium was constructed in 2020, and Lotlikar claimed that all problems had been resolved. However, Mahajan refuted this, stating that the problem has now emerged in new areas.

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