PWD officials rush to ascertain status of under-repair polling stations in S Goa; Rain water enters Orlim panchayat ghar under renovation, building later covered with plastic sheets to stop seepage
MARGAO
As unseasonal rains pounded the State, senior PWD officials were literally on the job on the ground to ascertain the status of the ongoing works at the polling stations across the South Goa Lok Sabha after rain water entered the Orlim Panchayat Ghar notified as a polling booth for the May 7 Lok Sabha polls.
The PWD had taken up major works of replacement of roofing of the Orlim panchayat building along with a school at Macazana village, both notified as polling stations for the May 7 Lok Sabha polls.
Since the contractor had removed the Mangalore tiles to replace them with tin sheets, the unseasonal rains caught everyone by surprise, including the PWD and the local panchayat body.
Sarpanch Simon Pereira, however, said that the panchayat had taken adequate precautions by securing the panchayat records when the PWD had taken up the roof replacement work. “I can say with confidence that all the panchayat records are safe. We have kept the records in safe custody when the PWD had taken up the work. I will pursue with the PWD contractor to expedite the work on a war footing with the State hit by unseasonal rains to avoid any damage to the premises,” Pereira said, adding that panchayat members, secretary and the panchayat staff had all helped to keep the records in safe condition.
The panchayat building was later covered with plastic sheets as a precautionary measure to stop water seepage.
Inquiries by The Goan have revealed that the Orlim Panchayat Ghar plays host to one of the two polling stations in Orlim village. “After the polling stations were inspected by the PWD upon instructions from the election officials, it was recommended to take up the work of roof replacement of the Orlim Panchayat Ghar and a school located at Macazana.
While the PWD had taken up these major works at Orlim and Macazana, sources informed that the PWD is on the job at almost all the hundreds of polling stations in South Goa Lok Sabha constituency to carry out both minor and major repairs.
A senior official informed that the PWD is carrying out repairs work at all the polling stations across South Goa constituency. “At some places, we have taken up the work of providing additional toilets. Work on the ramps is also in progress at other places. Basically, minor repair works is being carried out at almost all the polling stations,” the official said.
He added; “Apart from the normal polling station, the PWD will be provided additional amenities at the Pink Polling stations and Model polling stations.”
The Goan understands that the PWD was set a target of April 25 to complete work on the repairs both minor and major, at all the polling stations. While work is underway at most of the polling stations, an official exuded confidence all repair works at the polling station will stand complete in all respects by April-end.
