Panaji: An inspection of the Kala Academy Panaji’s Dinanath Mangeshkar Kalamandir was conducted by the Kala Academy task force and PWD on Monday after serious concerns were raised about the creaking condition of the stage’s understructure.“During the inspection, it was observed that the underbelly of the stage was heavily soaked with water vapour, and the supporting frame had become completely rotten due to dampness, posing a serious risk of collapse if not rectified immediately,” task force member Francis Coelho said.“We sought an urgent meeting with chief minister Pramod Sawant, as the contractor allegedly failed to carry out necessary rectification despite repeated requests from Kala Academy staff for temporary repairs.
Immediate action is essential to prevent any mishap,” Coelho said.The iconic Charles Correa-designed building is vulnerable to water ingress as part of the Kalamandir lies below ground level. Earlier consultants conducted studies before installing waterproofing and drainage systems with pumps to remove water. These measures now appear inadequate.
