Villagers of Kammapatti complain about use of sub-standard materials to construct a compound wall for a panchayat union primary school. They fear that the poor quality of the wall could pose a threat to the lives of students.
Construction of the compound wall for around 100 feet around the school has been going on for the past six months.
“Instead of using gravel, cement and sand for making the 20-odd pillars for the compound wall, the contractor has been using bricks to fill up many column boxes. It will defeat the very purpose of pillars that are meant to support the brick work,” said the Village Education Committee, president P. Sanjeevi.
The villagers have been complaining to the engineer of the Srivilliputtur Panchayat Union for the past few months about the poor quality. “He promises to look into it but the contractor has been continuing the same work,” he said.
Construction of a major part of the wall has been completed and it was going on in the remaining portion. “Even as the work has not been fully completed, the wall has started shaking, which is a strong sign of the poor quality of construction,” he said. Hollow spaces were found on pillars. Besides, bricks were seen inserted into it.
The school has some 40 children enrolled in five classes from Class I to V. Besides, an anganwadi functioning on the same premises has some 30 children.
“We are afraid of safety of the children. A wall collapse during school hours could injure them,” he added.
Family members of V. Kudumbaiya had cleared well grown pearl millet from a portion of their land, which they donated to the school for construction of the wall. But the contractor has been delaying the work for nearly six months. Even dumping of construction materials on the school premises was a threat to the safety of children. Venomous reptiles could take refuge under the materials.
Suresh, Project Officer, District Rural Development Agency, promised to look into the issue and take necessary action.
