TEAM HERALD
VASCO: The PWD division (VIII) at Vasco has decided to repair the weak balconies of the Junta Quarters at Baina, after the balcony of a flat collapsed on Monday night.
Speaking to Herald, a resident said the Junta Quarters, which are about 45 years old, have not seen any major maintenance work.
“Request to the PWD division (VIII) at Vasco to carry out maintenance of the flats has fallen on deaf ears and the residents were forced to carry out minor repairs on their own as and when the need arose,” added the resident.
The residents claimed that the PWD had also failed to paint the buildings from outside every year as mandatory and the residents have to request the politicians to get their buildings painted.
“The Junta Quarters were last painted from outside was just before the assembly election and that too, after begging with the politicians,” said a resident.
The residents pointed to the cracks that have developed on the walls and plaster falling off from the ceiling. Other residents showed wide gaps being developed in their balconies.
While showing the rusted metal rods of the collapsed balcony on the ground floor and another balcony with a large hole in the middle which is also is on the verge of collapse, the residents said the ceiling and pillars of the building have become weak and raised fears that it may collapse any time.
Speaking to Herald, some reputed architects said the Junta Quarters at Baina are in precarious condition and the government and PWD should take up re-enforcement of the structure to avoid any major disaster. They alleged that the metal in the concrete is totally corroded and it cannot hold the building together.
When contacted, PWD division VII Assistant Engineer A D Nagarchie admitted that the metal is corroded and attributed the corrosiveness to the proximity of Baina beach.
When brought to his notice about the allegations made by the residents that no major maintenance works of the building was taken up by the PWD for the last 45 years, Nagarchi refuted the allegations saying periodical repairs are taken up by the PWD.
“I inspected the quarters, identified about three weak balconies and have already taken up the repairs work,” he said.
