Team Goemkarponn
MORMUGAO: After remaining pending for nearly two years, the long-awaited works on the retaining wall at Desterro were launched on Monday morning by Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, bringing relief to students and staff of Desterro High School. The project also includes safety-related infrastructure, beautification of the school premises and its surrounding areas.
Speaking to reporters at the site, Amonkar said the project was being taken up under the Public Works Department at an estimated cost of ₹19 lakh and was expected to be completed shortly.
“This has been a long-pending issue for the Desterro school. The compound wall had collapsed around two years ago during the monsoon, and since then the safety of students had become a serious concern,” Amonkar said. “The Desterro Church parish priest and committee members had repeatedly approached me to take up this work, and considering the risk faced by the students, it was important to act without further delay.”
The MLA said the project would include construction of a proper retaining wall and new steps to ensure safe access for students. “Along with the retaining wall, we will be constructing staircase steps exclusively for the students. We are also taking up beautification of the school and the surrounding areas, along with a footpath for the benefit of students and pedestrians,” he added.
Amonkar said the work was being initiated immediately, as the matter had remained unresolved for a long time. “The Father of the church had been regularly following up with me to ensure that these works are started at the earliest. We have moved the file through the PWD and obtained all necessary clearances, as this was the need of the hour,” he said.
Emphasising the urgency of the project, the MLA said young students had faced considerable hardship since the wall collapsed. “Small children were put to great difficulty because of the damaged wall and unsafe surroundings. The work will begin today, and we are confident of completing the entire project within the next three months,” Amonkar said.
