Decision to paint MMC building with 'Ultima' could delay job

The Margao Municipal heritage building which has been taken up for painting after around a decade.

Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar

MARGAO

Guess the difference between Ultima exterior paint and the Acrylic exterior paint? Well, the difference in the two paints has become a subject matter of debate in the corridors of the Margao Municipal Council building.

For, the contractor, engaged by the civic body to paint the Margao Municipal heritage building, has raised this question, as he says there’s lot of difference between the rates of Ultima and Acrylic paints.

While the contactor has set in motion the process to paint the building with primer, it may take some more time for the actual work of painting of the municipal building. Reason. The contractor has dashed of a letter to the Margao Municipal Chief Officer to do the rate analysis for the painting of the building with Ultima colour before the painting work is complete within the time limit.

In his letter, the contractor British Construction said, “We have been awarded the work of "External painting for the office building of Margao Municipal Council." As we have already started the work as per the Schedule, a Joint inspection was carried out along with Municipal Engineer & Junior Engineer  during which the Municipal Engineer suggested to use Ultima Exterior Asian Paint coat of paint which is not mentioned on the item schedule. As per our item Schedule it is mentioned to apply Acrylic Exterior Asian Paint coat of point as per the G.S.R. since there is lot of difference in rate for this item which is also not included in the G.S.R”.

Given the situation, the Margao Municipal technical section is on the job to do cost analysis of both Ultima and Acrylic paints before issuing an order to the contractor to start the painting work. “Applying Ultima paint is expected to increase the cost of the work. Hence, we are on the job to seek quotation for the supply of the paint. The civic body will soon take a call”, a senior official informed.

“We therefore request you to do the rate Analysis for this substitute item as requested by the Municipal Engineer before we start the work of applying the coat and issue the order at the earliest so that we can complete the work within the time limit”, the letter added.

The ongoing painting work on the MMC building had earlier this week raised the question of quality after local NGO Shadow Council for Margao had complained of shoddy work.