Cracked CEO Office Building Raises Questions Over New Construction

Project execution under scanner amid concerns over structural safety

SHYAM SOOD
Rajouri, July 26: Serious concerns have emerged over the structural safety of the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Office building in Rajouri, with allegations that the Public Works Department (PWD) failed to conduct a comprehensive structural and technical assessment before undertaking the construction of a new structure over the existing building.
The existing office building, constructed in 1984, has developed extensive cracks in its walls and roof, raising doubts about its structural integrity. Officials say the situation worsened after the recent heavy rainfall in Rajouri, as rainwater seeped into several rooms, further weakening the already deteriorated structure.
To avert any possible mishap, numerous temporary wooden supports have been installed beneath the roof. Despite these emergency measures, the building is reportedly considered unsafe, forcing officers and employees to continue working under potentially hazardous conditions.
Questions have been raised over the execution of the project by the PWD. It has been alleged that construction of the new structure commenced without carrying out a proper evaluation of the old building’s load-bearing capacity or conducting the mandatory structural and technical investigations. If these allegations are found to be correct, the matter could amount to a serious violation of engineering standards and building safety norms.
The CEO Office is one of the district’s most important administrative establishments, overseeing the functioning of 15 education zones and more than 1,900 schools. It also houses confidential service records of employees, financial documents, official correspondence and other vital government records.
Any structural failure of the building could therefore endanger the lives of government employees and members of the public visiting the office, besides causing irreversible damage to valuable official documents and administrative records.
The condition of the building has also sparked concerns over the prudent use of public funds. Observers argue that if the structure has become unsafe due to faulty planning or negligent execution, it would represent a significant waste of taxpayers’ money and warrant accountability from the officials and agencies responsible for the project.
An Education Department official said the matter is under examination. If the inquiry establishes negligence or violation of prescribed safety standards, appropriate action is expected to be initiated against the responsible officials and the executing agency in accordance with the law.