Authorities cite lengthy procedures
TEAM HERALD
CANACONA: The sophisticated engineered demolition machinery may have arrived from Pune, but lengthy procedures have stalled the early demolition of the three adjacent buildings of Ruby Residency.
As a result, the ‘Volvo Pockline Crushing Machine’ has been deployed to clear the debris of the collapsed building to expedite the recovery of the bodies trapped under the rubble.
Even though the State government has ordered the demolition of the three buildings which have been declared unsafe, the actual demolition could take some time. After ordering the disconnection of the power supply and water supply, authorities have to first revoke the ‘Occupancy Certificate’ issued to the builder, before the administrative process begins to tear down the three adjacent buildings.
Dhavlikar, who was personally monitoring the rescue and recovery and rescue operations at the Ruby Residency site at Chaudi-Canacona on Thursday, also
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told media persons that one building had further tilted by about 3 mm on Thursday, while tests were also being conducted on the remaining two buildings.
“Issuing a ‘Demolition order’ to the earmarked buildings is a lengthy process and only after exploring and completing all engineering technicalities and administrative requirements, a decision will be taken by the government. However, the government’s immediate priority is to remove all the bodies trapped in the debris,” said Dhavlikar.
When reporters asked if efforts were being made to spare the three buildings from demolition, so that they could eventually be made habitable, Dhavlikar hit back: “How is it possible for anyone to stay in these buildings, when electricity and water has already been disconnected? The occupancy certificate will also be revoked. But the process will take its own time.”
Dhavlikar informed that Goa Engineering College (GEC) report had declared that the building did not conform to ISI standard, pinpointing that the buildings had failed ‘Rebound Test’. Besides, poor usage of materials and poor forms of maintenance of construction works were also cited in the GEC report.
Commenting on the delay of the ‘Volvo Pockline Crushing Machine’ in reaching the site, Dhavlikar explained that the vehicle was travelling at slow speed from Pune to Goa.
“Every movement of the machine was monitored at every stage and authorities from Maharashtra government had even escorted the vehicle till the Goa border, so that it could reach Goa in the quickest possible time and without any obstacles.
When a reporter sought to know why a similar machine available at Kaiga-Karwar, a distance of less than 50 kms, was not requisitioned instead, Dhavlikar: “No one mentioned to us that such machinery is available in our neighbourhood. If you were aware about it, you should have informed the authorities.”
The media persons then shot back that the Disaster Management team should have been aware of such equipment in the vicinity, especially in times of emergency.
When asked to justify the need to hire private machinery, Dhavlikar replied: “Government machinery has limitations of period, but since we have hired a private machine, we can keep it for as long as we need it.” Dhavlikar, however, did not specify the cost of hiring the machine.
Dhavlikar, who was accompanied by South Goa Collector Venancio Furtado and an engineer of Matte of Matte & Associates, the company that had brought the ‘Volvo Pockline Crushing Machine’, stated that no adjacent building would be demolished before all bodies were extricated from the collapsed building.
In a related development, Dhavlikar informed that the State government had appointed a senior architect to examine and prepare a status report of the three adjoining buildings, which have been earmarked for demolition.
“Architect Mandrekar has already visited the site and he is expected to submit his report to the collector. The government will then process the report and the order will be issued for demolitions of the endangered building,” Dhavlikar said.
The government also appeared to take a U-turn when PWD Minister Sudin Dhavlikar on Thursday stated that the adjacent buildings would not be demolished unless the last body is retrieved from the debris of the collapsed building.
“Demolishing the three adjacent buildings before recovering the bodies from the collapsed building will only create further hurdles in the recovery operations,” justified Dhavlikar.
Dhavlikar’s statement appeared to contradict his previous statement ~ which, incidentally, was also reiterated by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar ~ where he (Dhavlikar) had earlier stated that the demolition of the precariously placed adjacent buildings was vital to facilitate the recovery of bodies trapped under the rubble.
He had earlier stated that attempts to recover the bodies without demolishing the adjacent buildings would pose a serious threat to the recovery workers.
