Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: The state government has directed the Principal Chief Engineer(PCE), PWD to investigate and submit Preliminary Inquiry Report regarding the collapse of the structure of Open Air auditorium in Kala Academy and submit a compliance report today.
The PCE has been asked to appoint an independent agency like IIT-Roorkee to ascertain the cause of the incident.
The PCE has also been instructed to seek explanation from the Contractor who is currently executing the refurbishment or renovation works at Kala Academy. An order to this effect has been issued by the Chief Secretary.
A huge portion of under renovation Kala Academy building collapsed in the intervening night of Sunday-Monday. The portion of open auditorium came down crashing with authorities yet to ascertain the cause for the same.
The public works department (PWD), which is the nodal agency for undertaking Rs 56cr renovation of the premises, inspected the site.
The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has sought detail report from PWD and is also likely to order an inquiry.
The opposition, who had smelled massive corruption in the renovation work, slammed the government for disaster and demanded that the Minister for Art and Culture Govind Gaude should resign.
Built in the 1960s, the building was among the first cultural centres in the newly liberated territory of Goa and quickly emerged as a centre for art, culture and music. Its main auditorium is named after Dinanath Mangueshkar, the father of Lata Mangueshkar, who hailed from Goa.
However, the facility is shut for more than two years due to the renovation. The government had set December 2022 deadline to throw it open for public.
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress claimed the building designed by renowned architect Charles Correa is in bad shape due to the failure of the state government.
Goa Congress vice president Tulio D’Souza claimed the building was being renovated without consulting the Charles Correa Foundation.
“The cost estimate for renovation of Kala Academy has risen to Rs 56 crore. Public funds have been used for it. The minister (Gaude) interfered in the tender process for the building,” D’Souza alleged.
He claimed the BJP government rejected the suggestions of the Charles Correa Foundation for reasons best known to them.
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