PANAJI: The newly built retaining gutter
slab, adjoining the TaadMaad shrine at St Inez, partially collapsed on Monday
morning, over how the Smart City work is proceeding without supervision by
engineers and SmartCity officials. The sewage chamber was dug right in front of
the TaadMaad shrine and a trench was dug close to the gutter which got filled
with water and the gutter partially collapsed. Luckily, devotees who flock to
the Shrine on Mondays, escaped unhurt.
On Monday morning, locals and residents were shocked to see
the shoddy Smart city works happening at St. Inez Road. The collapse of the
newly built concrete wall has triggered the anger of Panjimites over their
safety and the progress of the Smart City works. The rains, adding more misery
to the situation, have filled the sewerage line with water posing further
danger to passersby.
“They had excavated the site for the sewage chamber. Because
of the continuous rainfall, the drain has collapsed. Now our priority is the
temple that is here. We have told the contractor to complete the work around
the temple on priority” exclaimed CCP Mayor RohitMonserrate.
The mayor further stated that the issue is minor and that it
can be sorted out. It was clearly visible that the structure would collapse at
any moment as there was no mud underneath supporting the gutter. The workers
have dug out the soil underneath. People
questioned that if a common person could notice such an issue then why did the
engineer or the contractor not foresee this problem?
When the Mayor was questioned about an obvious issue, he
stated, “Smart City will keep correcting and keep bleeding the money, that’s
when they will start learning from their mistakes. We have told the contractor
to take care of this problem.”
The temple priest too heaved a sigh of relief since although
devotees flock to the shrine in the morning, no one was hurt.
