The Goa government has been spending lavishly on developmental works, like roads, nullahs and drainages, but when it comes to maintaining an important department like the Public Works Department (PWD), it is found wanting, at least in the village of Calangute.
A dilapidated office under an overhead tank, the Calangute PWD is a total mess. The iron bars in the concrete structure are exposed and corroded, and the building does not appear to be safe for its staff or daily wage earners.
Calangute residents who have visited the PWD to register complaints are taken aback at the sorry state of affairs. At times, they have questioned the staff as to how they can risk their lives in such a place.
The office was allegedly taken up for repairs in June 2015, but till date no work has been carried out, except for tying bamboos to make a scaffold. The estimates for repairing the office were prepared few months back, but there is no sign of the work starting to provide relief to the PWD staff.
Locals have opined that if the office is in such a state, they cannot expect better works from the PWD. However, the staff and daily wage workers have done their best without paying too much attention to their dilapidated surroundings.
“When I went to the PWD to complain about water problems, I was shocked to see the sorry state of affairs at the office. The office looks pathetic, with bamboos tied at each other to carry out the repair works. Till today nothing has been done. Corroded iron bars can be seen in the concrete, which could be dangerous if not repaired soon,” said Matias Mascarenhas a Calangute local.
He continued, “I felt sorry for the PWD staff, which has been trying its best to satisfy the consumers. Can we expect the staff to work better for us in bad office conditions? If the repairs are not carried out immediately, there could be a tragedy. The government needs to create good infrastructure for an office that provides water to the public.”
Roseann, another local, stated, “The government is engrossed with creating infrastructure for tourists, but what about providing a basic office for an essential service like PWD? How can the PWD staff serve us better by sitting in pathetic office conditions? We have improved the infrastructure at Calangute and Baga beaches to please and attract tourists worldwide. Why not spend a little to improve the basic requirements of the PWD?”
Meanwhile, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said, “The repair work has been taken up, but I do not understand why it is being delayed. I will take up the matter with the Assistant Engineer and follow it up personally with the contractor. Nothing seems to progress if there is no follow up on the issue.”
When pointed out that the Calangute electricity department has a spacious office, but the condition of the PWD office is pathetic, Calangute Deputy Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said, “It doesn’t make us realise that a PWD office exists as the Junior Engineer as well as Assistant Engineers are not available in Calangute. A demand for a full-fledged PWD office in Calangute could be considered depending on the availability of officers and staff for the work of the locals.”
