PANJIM: Declared “unsafe” around four months ago, the head office of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AHVS) located at Patto, Panjim continues to operate from the same crumbling premises, posing a grave threat to its staffers.
The new wing of the AHVS office lacks structural stability and can crumble any moment.
O Heraldo’s visit to the new wing revealed the scary state of affairs as cracks have developed at several places, a gap is clearly visible between the beam and the walls while, the floor tiles have been damaged. Despite the building being in a precarious condition, the staffers are compelled to work by risking their lives.
“The building was declared unfit and based on that report we have been allotted one and a half floors in the Spaces building at Patto. The architect has done the planning, but the PWD has not prepared the estimates for the interior furnishing of the new allotted space,” said AHVS Director Dr Agostinho Misquita.
“I personally contacted the PWD’s top official at least three times, requesting him to ensure that the estimates are prepared at the earliest. But nothing has been done. We have now written to PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral requesting him to look into the matter,” he added.
The department’s senior officer said, “The old wing of the AHVS office is intact and in good condition, but the new wing has suffered damage during the construction of multi level car parking undertaken by the government in the adjacent property.”
When contacted, PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral said that he will look into the matter and get the estimates prepared by the PWD engineers at the earliest.
“I am not aware of this, I will find out with the engineer concerned of my department. I will look into it and get it done as soon as possible. Let the AHVS Director meet me with the letters and documents if he has sent them to the PWD, I will inquire why it has been held up for months,” Cabral assured.
