Team Herald
VASCO: Extensive water logging at the site of a long-delayed project to construct a building for the primary health centre (PHC) has been posing serious threat to a house in the area as well as the main road leading to Cansaulim market from Velsao.
Sources said the project contractor had excavated the site to lay down concrete columns, however, before he could start the work, the site turned into a pond following rain. Locals now fears that the house belonging to Vernekar family, and located on the border of the site could collapse as the foundation of the house has become weak due to the man-made pond.
“The site has turned into a pool as the project site has a built up area of 3849 sq mts and all the area excavated has extensive water logging. The contractor has failed to make provisions for pumping rain water. Besides the house, the major district road abuts the border of the project and the stagnant water may affect the road,” a Cansaulim resident said.
Villagers of Cansaulim, Arossim and Cuelim are also worried by the slow pace of work. “The excavation should have been done and foundation before the monsoon. It is as if they are deliberately forcing villagers to face hardships,” a villager said.
Taking note of the threat to a house and road, RDA Minister Alina Saldanha on Saturday inspected the site and directed the contractor to make arrangements to pump out the water.
“It is true that the situation has been quite serious at the primary health centre site. I have visited the site and called GSIDC MD Sanjit Rodrigues as well as the contractor asking them to pump out the water as early as possible. I am also worried about the safety of adjoining house,” she said.
The contractor has already procured a heavy size pump and have begun his operations,” Saldanha told.
