MARGAO: The sorry state of government-owned Junta Quarters at Pajifond, Margao have once again came to light after consequent fire incidents were reported in the last few days, despite complaints filed by the occupants to carry out the maintenance works. Occupants have expressed frustration over the negligence toward the maintenance by the public works department.
Apparently all the buildings of Junta Quarters are in pathetic conditions and it appears that a major tragedy is imminent if immediate attention is not given towards the repairs and renovation of the decades-old government building.
The occupants of the quarters in the buildings on the PWD land at Pajifond are extremely vulnerable to major tragedy, especially when repeated fire incidents have already been reported in one of the C-type buildings.
The residents said that despite several requests and applications, PWD Division 22 are least bothered to carry out the maintenance works. The PWD office at Pajifond claimed to be short staff and was reluctant towards the complaint.
“We first reported the fire incident due to a short circuit on July 4, and immediately a complaint was filed before the PWD office. No officials were bothered to come and carry out the repair works. Thereafter on August 25, again fire incident was reported and now for the third time another major incident was witnessed, even to the extent that electric shock to the walls and waters taps of the building was reported,” said one of the occupants.
Many occupants who are all in the government services stated that several items such as TV set, washing machine, etc, have been damaged.
Another occupant said that concerned officials have assured to do the maintenance works when contacted but failed. “We are paying rent in thousands of rupees to the PWD but no maintenance works are done,” she said.
Occupants have further stated that the government should give them the quarters free of cost if they cannot do the maintenance properly.
Mostly all the buildings are in a dilapidated state and all requests to carry out the repairs and maintenance on a war footing have only fallen on deaf ears.
There’s water seepage on the staircases and steel exposed to rainwater have not spurred the PWD authorities to take up the maintenance work on top-most priority.
Occupants have even complained that not a single repair works are done by the PWD and hence they are forced to engage in private services.
