Following the hard-hitting report by The Live Nagpur revealing the severe termite infestation and crumbling conditions of the VIP cottages at Ravi Bhavan and Nag Bhavan, the Public Works Department (PWD) has sprung into urgent action.
Last week’s shocking expose, highlighting how a part of the roof in Cottage No. 13—home to Industry Minister Uday Samant—collapsed due to termite damage, triggered immediate inspections by the PWD. The findings confirmed that several cottages are in a dangerously dilapidated state, with wooden structures eaten away and ceilings at risk of sudden collapse.
In a direct response to the public scrutiny and mounting pressure after the report went live, Executive Engineer Abhijeet Kuchewar wasted no time and sent an urgent reminder to Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), demanding a comprehensive structural audit of all the cottages. The PWD has agreed to cover the audit expenses and committed to working on a war footing to fix the problem.
Previously, consultant inspections had noted safety concerns but no immediate large-scale action was taken. However, the exposure by The Live Nagpur brought the issue to the forefront, forcing the department to accelerate its repair plans.
The audit results will soon be sent to the state government for swift approval of repair works. The report’s impact has clearly pushed PWD to prioritize ministerial safety, ensuring no further negligence in maintaining these important government residences.
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