Government quarters in Sanguem need repairs

A large number of government quarters at Pajimol Sanguem constructed to house the government officials are in a dilapidated condition and need urgent repairs. The quarters, which were meant for the residential needs of employees and officers working at the construction site of the Selaulim Dam, were constructed some 30 years back. However, on account of non maintenance and regular repairs, some of the quarters are on the verge of collapsing in the near future.

There are over 70 quarters in the locality classified as Class A, B, C and D. However, except for a few, most of the quarters are left unoccupied on account of poor condition of the quarters. Even those that are occupied by employees are in shambles and the occupants have to face great hardship particularly during monsoons.

As the monsoon draws closer, the occupants are seen covering the roof top of the quarters with tarpaulin and other plastic sheets so as to prevent rain water from seeping inside the houses. Those occupying the quarters allege fears of possible damages being caused to their electronic gadgets on account of seepage of water during monsoons.

Incidentally there are several government offices in Sanguem town which are housed in rented premises due to the absence of government quarters. However, if these offices are shifted to the vacant government quarters at Pajimol, Sanguem, the government would have saved several thousand of rupees per month towards rental charges.

For now the Agriculture Department, which all these years was running from a rented premise in Sanguem, has acquired a couple of vacant Government quarters and a part of vacant land at Pajimol, Sanguem wherein the work of putting the quarters in shape is in the final stages.

Since the past few months, the vacant government quarters are also housing the office of the Village Panchayat of Uguem and a Sub Health Centre as the new premises of the Uguem Village Panchayat is under construction.

Similarly the Civil Supplies Department had also procured a premise at Pajimol Sanguem. However, despite having completed the renovation work of the quarters, the department has not shifted its office to the new premises as of date. The offices of Electricity Department, Department of Telecommunications, Post Office and Weights and Measures continue to house in rented premises at Sanguem. If all these offices are shifted to vacant government quarters at Pajimol Sanguem, government would have saved a lot of money which is otherwise spent on rentals, claim the citizens from Sanguem.

However, irrespective of the occupation of the government quarters, the vacant government quarters at Pajimol Sanguem, if not repaired and renovated immediately, there are possibilities of the quarters facing a collapse in the near future.