Team Herald
PANJIM: The shoddy execution of the Smart City sewerage project at Taad Maad, St Inez, came crashing down - literally on Thursday evening when a portion of the retaining gutter wall collapsed. Miraculously, devotees and workers escaped unhurt. The collapse, which occurred during the during the laying of the 710mm HDPE pipeline, is the second such incident in less than a year- exposing glaring lapses, lack of oversight, and the reckless endangerment of public safety.
This marks the second such incident within a year. In June last year, a newly built retaining gutter slab adjoining the Taad Maad shrine partially collapsed, raising concerns over the lack of supervision by engineers and Smart City officials. The sewage chamber had been dug directly in front of the Taad Maad shrine, while a trench close to the gutter filled with water, ultimately leading to a partial collapse.
In response to the latest incident, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) CEO, Sanjit Rodrigues, dismissed claims of a collapse, stating that only a portion of the retaining gutter wall had loosened.
He further asserted that no damage had been caused to the shrine or the banyan tree.
“A team from IPSCDL has assessed the site, and necessary reinforcement and restoration measures are underway to ensure stability and public safety,” he said.
"The shrine and banyan tree are totally safe and we are already 10-12 metres away from it. The work is being carried out 12 metres below sea level and we must prioritise the safety of human resources. Once it gets dark, we do not allow workers to go down into the drains. People may say we have abandoned the work, but that is incorrect—it is a completely distorted version. We are following our timelines.”
Rodrigues also refuted allegations that a retaining wall had collapsed.
“People are saying that the retaining wall has collapsed, but in fact, there is no retaining wall here. There is a gutter and also a live gas pipeline. We have cut the gutter in certain areas to avoid conflict with the gas pipeline. The gas pipeline, along with the sewage pipeline, water pipeline, and BSNL line, are all live. People must understand the complexity and challenges of the work being carried out here.”
IPSCDL, in an official statement, reiterated that there had been no damage to the shrine or the banyan tree.
“The shrine at St Inez remains completely intact, and there has been no impact on the nearby tree. Comprehensive shoring work has been undertaken, and all measures are in place to prevent any imminent danger,” the statement read.
It further clarified that while a portion of the retaining gutter wall had loosened due to excavation, there was no collapse as reported.
“The gutter walls should not be mistaken for retaining walls. Some portions of the gutter were dismantled to facilitate shoring work while avoiding the live gas pipeline, and this should not be considered a collapse. Our team has already assessed the site, and necessary reinforcement and restoration measures are underway to ensure stability and public safety. The settlement of soil has occurred due to the 12-metre depth of excavation required for this work,” IPSCDL stated.
The organisation also stressed that work at such depths is prohibited after sunset to ensure worker safety.
However, locals have voiced dissatisfaction with the manner in which the work is being carried out.
Suresh Karapurkar, a resident, said, "The work is not being carried out responsibly. One incident happened last year, and now this. This time, they have dug too close to the temple. The temple, which was built around 60 years ago, is at risk and could collapse at any moment. The contractor is being irresponsible. They do not care about the complaints we make. They need to complete the work quickly. Most of the time, there are no responsible officials present at the site."
Another resident, speaking anonymously, highlighted concerns over the deteriorating condition of the surrounding soil and its impact on the banyan tree.
"Day by day, the soil is losing its grip on the areas surrounding the tree. The tree is losing support, and its branches have spread across the road, putting pressure on its roots," he said.