Power dept contractor uses saline water from Mandovi for concrete mix

Team Herald

Panjim: Saline water fetched from river Mandovi was being used to prepare concrete mixes which were used for laying foundation for the streetlights at the Mandovi promenade in Panjim by the State Electricity Department appointed contractor.

A video has gone viral on social media wherein it is seen a labourer fetching water from river Mandovi using a bucket and using the same for concrete mixes.  The citizen who shot the video can be heard questioning the contractor over the shoddy work. He pointed out to him that the saline water won’t hold the concrete for long and that the street light will come down crashing.

It is pertinent to note that in view of the G20 summit, the state electricity department through a contractor replacing/repairing the street lights at prominent places in the Panjim city. This which is being widely shared online has exposed the electricity department and its engineers who are not keeping a check on the quality of works executed by the contractors. 

“Saline water will affect the durability. If they are using saline water then you ought to check the type of cement they are using. You can use saline water only if you use special cements. It is required to check chloride resistance separately, test the water and with that parameter special cement can be ordered from the company. But I would recommend portable water as it is better for such works,” said the immediate past president of the Institution of Engineers Chandrashekar Prabhudessai.  

An Executive Engineer on condition of anonymity said that the department will initiate an inquiry into the matter and added that if the contractor is found at fault, then action would be taken against him.

“We have sought an explanation from the contractor over the alleged substandard work.  You know how the government functions, the department gives a contract to one contractor and he then sublets to another contractor. We will definitely take penal action as per the clauses of the contract agreement against the contractor if he is found at fault,” the Executive Engineer said.