Í write this out of sheer concern, hoping that those responsible begin at once to take remedial steps to prevent a predicted disaster. May God help us to take the right decisions, and may He protect us always.
As a citizen, and moreover as an Officer of the Court, I am very anguished and flabbergasted that due to sheer faulty planning and construction we have landed up with a new High Court building at Porvorim headed for a disaster.
The onus falls entirely on Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) which executed the work recklessly and without proper application of mind. Officials of GSIDC must be held accountable and brought to book.
Experts in the field of Civil Engineering and Architecture are unanimous in their opinion on the doomed fate of this building, in its present shape.
The flat roof is a matter of great concern and should have been considered inappropriate in a high rainfall area. Buildings in Goa need to have properly sloped strong wind resilient roofs with excellent rainwater drainage systems ensuring satisfactory waterproofing.
It is obvious that the principles of an ecologically and environmentally compatible design were not incorporated in the provision of this roof.
The planners had to keep in mind that the location of this building is on the edge of a lateritic hill in a highly breezy and wind swept zone with heavy winds blowing directly from the Arabian Sea.
Evidently the rain therefore hits very hard on the roof and the designer of this project abdicated in his responsibility to check this factor and the effect of acidic rainwater that will be pouring on the roof.
In view of the perceived environmental and weather incompatibility of this roof, the authorities need to rope in some experts on a priority to see if any rectifications can now be done.
One expert is of the view on providing a strong windproof and fire resistant sloping roof on the existing structure and to make it withstand strong cyclonic wind speed as the location lies in the path of storms witnessed in this coastal area.
As the location receives excellent sunlight at least for nine months of the year, it would be prudent to see the feasibility of solar power generation from the sloped roof by installing power generation panels. It is also opined to plan and design a suitable roof integrated rooftop rainwater harvesting system so that precious rooftop rainwater is appropriately used.
As walls and windows of the building facing the direction towards Arabian Sea would face strong impact of sea salt laden winds and rain hitting directly it would require to prevent progressive deterioration of these exposed exteriors and for stopping possible ingress of water into the interiors.
To add to the nightmare, an ugly and hazardous barbed wire fencing has been erected around the new High Court building. Our High Court being a seat of Justice, the first visual impression is very unpleasant and marred by this aesthetically incompatible barbed wire fencing.
It may be appropriate to replace the barbed wire with eco-friendly harmless and aesthetically pleasant fencing which can meet the legitimate security objectives and appeals to all, as we enter the Temple of Justice and not an incarceration centre.
While the authorities decide on the rectification measures of this big goof up, all we can do is pray that God keep our High Court building which has cost the Taxpayers over 125 crores safe and secure so that Justice can flow uninterrupted.
