TCP now mulls review of issuing building permits January 21, 2014
TEAM HERALD [email protected] PANJIM: Given that most departments indulge in reactive rule making rather than preventive action, it is now the turn of the Town and Country Planning Department to propose reviewing the processes of issuing construction permissions in a bid to make them tighter, after the Canacona tragedy. Chief Town Planner S T Putturaju speaking to Herald said that the department was awaiting the report of the committee studying the Canacona building collapse, which is expected on Tuesday and based on which they will make new recommendations. “I am given to understand that the report will be submitted on Tuesday. Based on the report and its recommendations, we will take a decision,” he said adding that issues like that of registration of engineers, as well as closely monitoring each stage of the construction would be adequately addressed. “Many of these provisions are there in the existing regulations, but they may not be as clear. We have to make them clear so that all can understand,” Putturaju said. The tragedy at Canacona is being blamed on a weak construction, faulty design as well as liberally granted permissions by TCP and the Canacona municipality. In the aftermath of the collapse, several authorities, including the TCP deputy town planner and municipal authorities, have sought to shrug off responsibility. The contractor too sought relief in the fact that the plans he had drawn up were passed by the municipal and TCP officials. TCP regulations already stipulate responsibilities for the structural engineer, engineers and others depending on the nature of the project that is being constructed and have to sign several declarations including accepting liability for the constructions, etc. ‘All bodies handed over’ January 21, 2014 CANACONA: The bodies of all workers who were killed in the Ruby Residency building tragedy have been handed over to relatives or the next of kin, Canacona police said. According to Canacona PI Harischandra Madkaikar, four bodies were airlifted to Nepal, while all other bodies have been handed over to their relatives. “Many bodies were transported to different parts of the country, including Bihar, Jharkhand, UP and Karnataka. However, except for the bodies of six locals who were cremated in their respective native places at Gaondongrim, Shristhal and Barcem-Quepem, there is no exact count of how many bodies of migrant labourers, who died in the Ruby Residency tragedy, were actually cremated in the State,” the PI said.
