Old Secretariat restoration may be ready by year-end

Old Secretariat restoration may be ready by year-end
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, AUG 15 
The delayed renovation and restoration of Old Secretariat building to convert it into a centre of art and culture is expected to be completed by end of this year and it is likely to be open for public in 2011. 
The civil work for converting the Old Secretariat building started mid 2007;   however it was not completed on scheduled date for various reasons.
Speaking to Herald, Prasad Lolayekar, Director of  Art and  Culture, said  all  civil  works   will be  completed    in the next three-four months and work  of setting  up  of  galleries will be taken up immediately.
The galleries will be opened for public viewing as they are readied and we will not wait until entire work is completed.
As  informed  to Goa  Assembly  by   Chief Minister Digambar Kamat  in  a written reply to a  Question tabled by Sanguem MLA,  Vasudev Gaonkar in this assembly session,   the work was delayed  as the consultant  was asked to revise drawings  several times due to the changes  suggested  by the  committee appointed by the  government. The restoration work was further delayed as a part of the area in the building where old furniture was stocked, was not handed over to the contractor in time.  It was however later removed by general administration department.
Also, the dismantled  electrical  material which was handed over  to PWD and   stored   in  annexe  building, has not been vacated  and the  area is  yet to be   handed over to  the contractor.
Total work  of  civil, plumbing  and  internal electrical works valued at Rs 70,197,527  was awarded  to M/s Girish  Enterprises in June  2007  to be completed by September, 2009.
It is now set to be completed by mid-December. The fire fighting work valued at Rs 3,125,950 and awarded to M/s Jaspin Jacob Wire Drawing Pvt Ltd,   is also incomplete. The work  could not be  finished  in  time due to delay in handing over  the room by PWD  in annexe  building wherein fire  fighting pumps are to be installed and is  likely  to be completed in November, 2010.
Also, elevator work, external electrical work and HVAC are not yet finished.