Stamped out by owners, old post office at Quepem left to crumble

Stamped out by its owners and left to crumble since the past 15 years, the old post office at Quepem finds little sympathy from residents of Quepem.

On the contrary, the people are annoyed that the old structure, which is in the main market opposite the public garden, has been left in that state by the postal department.

The Quepem post office shifted to its new premises adjacent to the old post office over 15 years ago, but the indifferent attitude of the postal department has been criticised by residents and civic authorities alike.

“After shifting to the new post office, the old premises remained idle for years and since the postal authorities failed to maintain the structure, the building has partially collapsed and wild bushes have covered the premises. It has now become a haven for anti-social activities,” said Quepem Citizen Committee Vice President Evangelisto Da Costa.

Quepem Municipal Council (QMC) Vice Chairperson Camilo Simoes also condemned the attitude of postal authorities.

“If they cannot clean the area by demolishing the dilapidated structure, they must inform the QMC and we will do the job,” said Simoes.

“The old structure stands in between two beautiful government buildings. The deputy collector’s office is housed in one building, while the Town and Country Planning, RTO and other important government offices are housed other side of the building. This old structure is spoiling the beauty of entire Quepem market.”

“The postal authorities to at least take cognizance of the Prime Minister’s call of ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ and should act immediately to clean the area by demolishing the dilapidated structure,” Simoes added.

QMC Councillor Caitani (Catty) Fernandes feared there could be reptiles lurking in the area, as wild bushes have grown around the structure.

“Besides, the structure can be detrimental to human life as the remaining structure has become very weak and it may collapse at any time,” said Fernandes.

Ward Councillor Manuel Colaco told Herald that he had highlighted the sorry state of the old post office structure to the postal authorities at Mapusa.

“But the authorities did not pay any heed to my concern. This time, I will move a resolution during the council meeting urging the postal authority to take the issue seriously and clean the area at the earliest. I will also write to the MP to direct the authority concerned to undertake the cleaning work on a priority basis,” said Colaco.

CURCHOREM: Washing their hands off the matter, postal authorities have claimed that Central and State governments have not sanctioned any funds to maintain the structure.

Since the Quepem post master is on leave, the person temporarily holding charge asked Herald to contact its head office at Mapusa, as officials there are the ones who look after the affairs of Quepem post office.

When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Postal (SSP) Archana Gopinath then directed Herald to contact Premanand Karmalkar, who looks after department’s buildings. In turn, Karmalkar told to contact Bore, the assistant superintendent of posts at Mapusa.

“The Central and State governments have not sanctioned any funds to carry out such activities and the MP should look into the matter,” said Bore.

“The regional office at Panjim does the work of estimates, issuing tenders and work orders,” said Bore and asked Herald to contact the SSP the next day so that he could brief her about the developments.

On contacting next day, Gopinath told Herald to contact Mariano for more details, but Mariano said he was just a dealing clerk and he had no any idea about the old Quepem post office.