PANJIM: The Public Works Department (PWD) on Tuesday submitted to the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) that the office of the Social Welfare Department will be relocated in the building B of Goa Housing Board, Porvorim, while cautionary signboards have been put up at the premises.
While hearing a complaint filed by GOACAN (Goa Civic Action and Consumer Network) coordinator Roland Martins regarding the dilapidated condition of the office building of the Directorate of Social Welfare, situated on 18th June Road, Panjim, the PWD stated that rehabilitation of the existing structure to preserve the heritage will be taken as per the instructions of the government and after the premises are vacated.
The PWD executive engineer, works division-I (buildings) in his affidavit stated that the social welfare department office was located in the heritage building, which was almost 110 years old and was a load-bearing (G+1) structure having a separate Annexe office on the first floor. The premises have Mangalore tiles roofing on the main building and asbestos sheets for the Annexe building.The false ceiling of the main building was made up from the wooden planks which were old and partly damaged due to rusting of the nails. The Annexe building has wooden cardboard as a false ceiling.
On July 4, 2024, a single small panel of wooden cardboard from the false ceiling fell, however no injury and loss was reported, the PWD stated adding that repairsof the false ceiling were immediately undertaken and all damaged panels were replaced/repaired. It further stated that in view of the existing layout of the building and due to space constraints it was not feasible to provide accessibilities for the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
During the last hearing, Martins had complained that repairs were being undertaken and that there was no signboard stating that the PWD had commissioned the said work.
The GHRC has now fixed the matter for further hearing on September 19.