7 years on, design change after 70% RCC work leaves Quepem police station building in limbo

Margao: The construction of the Quepem police station building, which began in 2018, remains incomplete despite 70% of the construction work being completed. The project was stalled following a major change in the design of the foundation after the entire RCC structural framework was completed.

This led to significant cost escalations and administrative delays, resulting in all work on the project coming to a standstill for the last three years.The project was first accorded administrative approval and expenditure sanction in 2016 at an estimated cost of Rs 6.35 crore. However, the initial contractor failed to commence work, citing an unsustainable hike in material costs. The estimates were subsequently revised to Rs 7.7 crore, and construction progressed steadily with Rs 7 crore spent by July 2024.

However, work came to a halt when authorities chose to effect a major revision in the foundation’s design when, according to official documents, 70% of the construction work was already completed.Based on the results of the soil test conducted by the RCC consultant appointed by the PWD, it was recommended that the foundation be changed from isolated footings to a raft foundation. This design change was implemented even though the entire RCC structure was already completed, with only internal and external plastering, painting, sanitary works, flooring, and electrical fittings remaining.

The revision of the foundation design resulted in an additional cost of approximately Rs 3.5 crore (without escalation) to the original estimated cost of Rs 7.7 crore.The project's original completion date was Feb 21, 2021, but work has been suspended pending administrative approval for the additional costs arising from the design revision.A separate estimate of Rs 5.20 crore has now been prepared for the remaining work, which has been tendered and is under process for expenditure sanction.

PWD sources said that the project will be completed within a year from the date of issuance of the work order, which is, however, yet to be issued.The new building is designed to accommodate enhanced facilities for the police force. The building will house the office of the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), with one floor designated for the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB). Planned amenities include a library, canteen, conference hall, and a room for surveillance operations.