NT Reporter Vasco
A portion of the retaining wall being built near Sada flyover gave way during heavy rains, prompting an on-site inspection on Wednesday by Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, who directed the police to act against the contractor.
“A portion of the landslide restoration work collapsed during heavy rains. The contractor must complete additional works at his own cost. I have warned of blacklisting them if substandard works are repeated,” said Amonkar.
The collapse occurred on August 16, when around 10 metres of the retaining wall caved in. The wall is being constructed to prevent landslides on the highway that threaten vehicles and lives. Work began five months ago and is under the supervision of IIT Guwahati. The project, which was meant to be completed within a month, will now take longer as repairs are carried out.
The contractor, however, attributed the incident to natural factors. “The water flushed from the top and due to localised pressure, some movement happened at the bottom. The entire slope is stabilised and the work is done with technology. We are trying to investigate what exactly went wrong,” said the contractor.
Amonkar said he has instructed the contractor to complete the work under the same quotation without any additional payment. “The contract was given by the state government under the centre. However, the negligence will not go unnoticed and police will undertake investigations,” he said.
