MARGAO
Convenor of Citizens for Democracy Elvis Gomes has requested the Director/Head of the Civil Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology, Goa-Cuncolim, seeking an engineering audit and intervention in connection with the ongoing NH66 drainage construction work at Cuncolim.
In his letter, Gomes pointed out that while infrastructure development is vital, the ongoing construction of the box drainage system appears to the common man to be a stark departure from standard engineering protocols.
“As a premier engineering institution located in Cuncolim, your faculty and students are best positioned to recognise the contrast between classroom theory and this ‘bizarre’ field execution,” he said.
Saying the current design appears to present three major visible failures in engineering ” utility integration, geometric design and road safety, and pedestrian vulnerability ” he added, “The top paved surface is a mere 1 metre in width with no proposal for guard rails and does not leave any buffer as it touches the road carriageway. This creates a ‘death trap’ where a simple stumble could result in a fall into high-speed traffic,” he said.
Gomes pointed out that the role of NIT as a community member of Cuncolim is to let the whole community know that engineering is not merely about pouring concrete; it is about the protection of human life through the judicious use of public funds.
“We believe NIT Goa cannot remain a silent spectator to works that visibly lack sound structural logic. Otherwise, the gap between the theory that you teach and the practical implementation that you see will further widen. The government’s aim to make India Viksit Bharat by 2047 will not be achieved. Therefore, in the interest of our community, of which you are part, I would appreciate it if your Civil Engineering Department would volunteer to conduct an independent audit and evaluate whether the project design is in conformity with IRC (Indian Roads Congress) standards,” he said.
He requested NIT to offer a formal opinion to the PWD/NHAI regarding the inherent dangers of this design and propose immediate corrective measures.
