Team Herald
PANJIM: With nearly 80 per cent of parts of Kala Academy corroded, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has suggested retrofitting and “Cathodic Protection” technique to contain further deterioration. The structural audit report of the iconic structure was on Monday submitted to the High Court of Bombay at Goa listing out details of recommendations by IIT and Charles Correia Foundation (CCF).
IIT Professor Radhakrishna Pillai has stated that the structure can be strengthened through retrofitting or other measures. He also discussed about a technology, details of which was also furnished before the bench, called “Cathodic Protection” to arrest further deterioration of steel. “This technology is slightly on the expensive side. It works on the principal of electric current, by making the steel bars act as a cathode and uses zinc metal as an anode. This prevents steel from developing any additional rust,” it stated.
The technology has previously been experimented in India and proven for the last 40 years. The only maintenance needed is that zinc plates have to be replaced every 15-20 years but this is a non-invasive and non-destructive maintenance measure.
The five-page report, meeting of which was held on January 16, also pointed out to an observation made by Dr K G Guptha of Goa Engineering College about more than 80 percent corrosion “in some cases.” “We have to stop any more water from entering the structure,” he said indicating water accumulating in the open-air amphitheatre that is being debated for repairs or demolition.
As reported by Herald earlier, the GEC has asked to not overload the structure any further. “It cannot hold additional load including scaffolding or poles, which will be needed to support the temporary shed. Even if this is resolved, the shed supports will not survive since it is near the river and the Kala Academy structure presently will not withstand the wind load,” he said suggesting two options – removal of undesirable dead load from the waterproofing and to place tarpaulin sheets as were done in the 2019 monsoon.
Both IIT and GEC agreed that Kala Academy needs to address the issue as all the water flows into one channel from where it seeps and damages the concrete of the open-air amphitheatre.
CCF, which conceded to not having technical ability to undertake either for overall repair specification and temporary shed on their own; has requested the government to appoint National Centre for Safety of Heritage Structures (NCSHS) as advisor or consultant to work on the issue together with CCF and all other stakeholders. To this, the Member Secretary of Kala Academy has sought a proposal from the CCF, which is likely to be placed before the government by January 31.
The High Court has adjourned the matter for next hearing on March 2 while maintaining its earlier order to not go ahead with the demolition.
