PWD misses deadline for demolition work

KOCHI: If official deadlines hold any significance at all, the demolition work of the old Excise office building at Kacheripady junction should have been completed over a month ago. The demolition work was handed over to the Public Works Department (PWD) as part of a project to construct a seven-story mega office complex for the Excise department. The PWD had then assigned a contractor to take care of the demolition work. According to the agreement, the entire structure had to be demolished within 15 days of the assigning the work. However, the demolition, which began in early December is yet to be completed. PWD Executive Engineer (Buildings) P A Hashim said that the delay is occurring as they are not allowed to transport the demolition materials during day time. “Currently the work is confined to night time. We are yet to sign the contract for the new building with the Excise department. The work will be finished by then,” he said.However, sources with the Excise department said that the department is delaying the signing of the contract as the project will require improved technology from the PWD’s side. “The PWD is currently not ready to make those adjustments,” said sources. The new building is meant to house the various offices that come under the department, but are now scattered across the city. “Once the construction of the new building is completed, all of our offices will be shifted there. The building will have all the facilities required to house our offices which are now operating from rented spaces in the city,” said K Mohanan, Deputy Excise Commissioner, Ernakulam.