Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Serious concerns have emerged regarding accountability and supervision in the extensive renovation of the Kala Academy, with a Task Force Committee revealing that crucial works remain unfinished and the structure continues to exhibit signs of damage, even after spending more than ₹50 crore.
According to the committee, a team from IIT Madras carried out a visual inspection of the iconic cultural complex in September and subsequently submitted a draft report highlighting visible cracks, water seepage and incomplete construction works. These observations, the committee said, raise doubts about the structural soundness of the building that was reopened last year after a major overhaul.
Importantly, IIT Madras has advised advanced infrared and thermal imaging tests to scientifically evaluate the strength of the structure, indicating that a visual assessment alone is insufficient to determine the actual extent of deterioration or vulnerability.
Describing the renovation and structural strengthening exercise as a “misuse of public funds,” the task force questioned both the quality of workmanship and the decision to reopen the facility without ensuring long-term safety. Members stressed that the stated goal of the project was to secure the building for at least the next five decades, a target they believe has not been met.
“The issue goes far beyond surface-level repairs. The real question is whether the structure is genuinely safe for long-term use,” a task force member said, adding that public money appears to have been spent without achieving lasting results.
The committee also noted that around ₹10 crore has been withheld pending the implementation of expert recommendations and sought answers on who authorised the reopening of the Kala Academy despite technical concerns being flagged.
Expressing concern over institutional accountability, the task force questioned how the venue continues to host public programmes when essential safety evaluations are still pending.
To assess progress and adherence to expert advice, the committee has decided to carry out another inspection within the next month and will also examine responsibility for shortcomings in execution and oversight.
