VRISHANK MAHATME
Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) has already floated the tender for appointing a consultant who will do the structural audit of the Dona Paula jetty to ascertain its carrying capacity in a bid to know which parts need repairs and which need demolition.
Imagine Panjim, entrusted with the task, had in December 2017, suggested to the government to close the jetty in view of the deteriorating state of the structure.
Speaking to Herald, IPSCDL CEO and MD Swayan Chaudhary said, “There are two possibilities to it and it has to be taken in integration as a single project rather than going consolidated. One is the Dona-Paula jetty of which a part needs to be demolished while some of it can be repaired; we are bearing on the structural stability report which was done in 2012.”
He said, “We have already released the tender and the last day for registering was April but there were request to extend it due to the financial year ending and in view of that we have extended it till April 17, 2018 and once that process is over work will be started.”
He further said the project is on the IPSCDL priority list and the consultant once appointed will do the structural audit of the Dona Paula jetty to ascertain its carrying capacity in a bid to know which parts need repairs and which need demolition. We will only be touching those parts which need intervention.
Meanwhile, the State government was considering closing down the Dona Paula jetty as it is in deep distress. The reinforcing steel bars in the structure stand exposed and are corroding, posing a threat to hundreds of locals as well as tourists who visit the magnificent spot.
The Dona Paula jetty, also known as ‘Lovers’ Paradise’ today stands neglected. The railings have corroded and are broken in many places, posing a threat to visitors. The electrical lamps, too, have stopped functioning.
However, assuring to build a world class jetty in the next 12 to 18 months, Chaudhary said the decision on completely overhauling the structure or phase-wise work will be decided following a detailed study with experts in the field.
