KALA ACADEMY | TIMELINE

  • The auditorium’s roof leaks during a tiatr performance.

    PWD attributed the reason for the leak to water seeping through the AC duct in the auditorium.

  • CCF writes to Secretary A&C and Chief Secretary in regards to the repair of KA. Pointing out the importance of restoring the finishes in the building.

  • In reply to RTI query, PWD Chief Architect informs CCF that PWD is only an executing body.

    Original finishes in Auditorium will not be followed. Similarly the flooring, driveway & entrance gateway will be altered. No reply to CCF offer.

  • CCF writes to Directorate A&C regarding concerns over finishes in KA. Offers to provide consultation pro bono.

  • CCF writes to PWD Chief Architect regarding concerns over finishes in KA. Offers to provide consultation pro bono.

  • CCF write to KA regarding concerns over alteration of architectural finishes. Requests for transparency of work being carried out. Request to be involved in the repair.

  • CCF requests to visit KA. No reply.

  • CCF organise meeting with Techton Buildcon Pvt Ltd

    CCF inform the consultant in a public meeting that no aesthetic changes are to be carried out to Kala Academy. Techton point out the waterproofing and accoustic issues in the structure. CCF and local historians explain the 1983 design and the changes made in 2004. Request Techton to revert to finshes and accoustics of 1983.

  • High Court disposes of the Kala Academy Petition

    CCF inform the court that our demand to persue repair, has been accepted by the govt. Court judgement states that “no structures in the Kala Academy complex will be demolished, but structural repairs and renovation works will be carried out for preservation and maintainance of the complex.” First time a 20th Century building has been saved from demolition by a Court Order

  • Techton appoint a team to start work.

  • Government appeal to the High Court to dismiss the petition

    Amicus Curiae requests CCF to review the government proposal and verify that there will be no demolition of Kala Academy before disposing the case. Granted, till 8 July 2021

  • Appointment of M/s Techton Buildcon Pvt Limited on Nomination by Governor of Goa

    Work given without tender. Sum of 39.63 Crore + tax.

  • Request from CCF to KA regarding update on repair of KA & for a site visit. No reply from KA.

  • Onset of the South-west monsoons in Goa

    KA remains exposed and it gets inundated with water

  • Janta Curfew and start of nation-wide lockdown

    CCF heard, unofficially, that the state is broke and no funds are available for Kala Academy

  • Court Hearing

    Postponed indefinitely due to COVID 19

    CCF submit an affidavit in absentia, putting a timeline and explaining the recommendations of Dr. RG Pillai, the affidavit also demanded that the non-performing waterproofing be scraped off before the monsoons as it soaks water like a sponge and contributes to the dead load. .

  • Getty Foundation asks for details

    Getty wrote back asking for further clarification and details.

  • Getty acknowledgement of receival

    Getty acknowledged receipt of the application

  • Keeping it Modern grant by Getty Foundation

    Keeping it Modern grant by Getty foundation was applied to for funds.

  • Court Hearing and meeting with Gaude

    Deputy AG requested postponing the hearing citing absence of AG.

    Nondita Correa Mehrotra and Tahir Noronha’s meeting with Gaude requesting a letter of consent from Kala Academy with the idea of accepting private/CSR funds to pay consultants, to ease taxpayer’s money. The minister puts it on member secretary Kala Academy who stated that such proposal would not be accepted.

    In the meeting, it was informed that the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) will not take up any work in Kala Academy since they only take work valued over 10Cr.

    Kala Academy has approached PWD but have got no response. Next court hearing on 16th march 2020

  • CCf send a letter to Kala Academy to appoint consultants

    Letter from CCF to Kala Academy with the subject of appointing consultants for repair attaching the report and proposal, CVs of Arun Mennon and Dr.R.G. Pillai and profile of NCSHS.

    Since NCSHS and IIT Madras are fully funded Government of India institutions, there is no need to call for tenders by the state.

  • Report from Dr. R.G. Pillai and proposal from NCSHS

    Report from IIT madras i.e. Dr. R.G. Pillai is received, based on his inspection and peer review.

    Another document from NCSHS is received with proposal to take up the case of Kala academy as consultants at the cost of 15 lakhs INR.

  • Preliminary recommendations from Dr. RG Pillai. Followed by basic repair strategy from IIT Madras.

  • Article on Gaude’s press conference gets published

    An article is published on oHeraldo newsdaily about statements made by Gaude

  • Gaude does a press conference

    Press conference by Gaude wherein he:

    • Shares the minutes of Dr. R.G.Pillai’s meeting
    • Accuses CCF of incompetency to put up a shed on Kala Academy’s amphitheatre
    • Claims that CCF has been objecting any repairs to Kala Academy since 2010 (i.e. before inception fo CCF)
  • Court hearing

    The AG placed the minutes before the hon. Judge and said that the government. Has taken objection to points made by Kala Academy in the minutes. Points raised:

    • How can NCSHS be appointed without tender?
    • Justice Sonak said since it is an institution fully funded by the Government of India. Additionally they will only be doing consultant work and not implementation. Hence there should be no objection.
    • AG said the Finance Department and the Ministry of Art and Culture should also agree – to which the judge said, get the approvals in 3 weeks.
    • AG was saying CCF is just going after the glory, to which the judge reprimanded him and reminded him to not treat this as adversarial litigation.
    • Judge has requested the government to follow the calendar put down in the minutes and not delay any further.
    • Case is adjourned to 5th March. The government is requested to complete all financial and administrative approval for appointment of IIT Madras before that.
  • Dr. R.G. Pillai inspects Kala Academy followed by stakeholder’s meeting

    Inspection by Dr. R.G. Pillai alongwith Dr. K.G. Guptha HOD Civil eng. (GEC), Arminio Ribeiro and Tahir Noronha (CCF) , Gaurish Bhagat (JE Kala Academy) and Gurudas P.Pilarnekar (director, art and culture)

    Minutes of the meeting important points:

    • Dr Pillai stated that the structure does not require demolition and can be repaired. Quality of work should not be compromised by rushed time-schedule. It is advisable to ensure long-term preventive measures to preserve the building.
    • Dr. K.G. Guptha HOD, Civil Eng., Goa Engineering College (GEC) stated that no more water should be allowed to enter the structure, nor flow along the amphitheatre as it seeps and damages the concrete.
    • Member Secretary Mr. Gurudas Pilarnekar resolved that by the end of February 2020 he would get the necessary administrative and financial approvals to cover the structure and not let any water enter.
    • Dr. KG Guptha, explained some complications that will arise during the covering of the structure due to the slab aready being overloaded by multiple layers of non-performing waterproofing.
    • The Charles Correa Foundation may not be able to provide solutions to these complex issues alone, as our expertise is limited to the field of Architecture.
  • Kala Academy invitation for stakeholder’s meeting with Pillai

    Letter from Kala Academy acknowledging the letter from CCF, inviting all stakeholders to participate in the inspection by Dr. R.G. Pillai, as well as informing about a stakeholder meeting on the same day i.e. after the inspection.

  • CCF sends Kala Academy a letter with details of inspection

    Mentioning three thing to Kala Academy from CCF:

    • NCSHS – IIT-Madras are conducting peer review of the audits as well as visiting the structure pro-bono.
    • CCF is bearing the cost for the conveyance.
    • Requesting Kala Academy to assist with arrangements for the inspection.
  • Letter of request to allow inspection

    Letter from CCF requesting Kala Academy that IIT Madras will come and conduct inspection on 16th January 2020.

  • Response from IIT Madras

    IIT Madras responded that Prof. R.G.Pillai can visit Goa on 16th January 2020 and conduct an inspection of the structure.

    CCF paid for the conveyance of the recommended expert — Dr. Radhakrishna G. Pillai.

  • Court Hearing

    The pertinent points to note:

    • The government puts forward that in the meeting dated 2nd December 2019. It is decided to call in a structural expert who would suggest appropriate repair methodology, after studying both structural reports and visual observation.
    • They said they have not received any confirmation from the expert that they had reached out to.
    • They mentioned that they will be keeping CCF and GSIDC in the loop and will consider any suggestions/ recommendations from either agency and their expert panels as well.
    • Case is adjourned till 27th January.
  • CCF approaches NCSHS

    CCF approached the National Centre of Safety of Heritage Structures at IIT-Madras

  • Kala Academy invites Dr. Kapuria

    Member secretary of Kala Academy sends letter to the identified expert Dr. Kapuria, who does not respond.

  • Stakeholder’s meeting

    The pertinent points to note:

    • The minutes of the previous meeting were amended after discussion. Point (6) of the previous minutes now reflects the statement by Structural Auditor Dr. KG Guptha from GEC that “the structure can be saved and does not require demolition”.
    • The Kala Academy had requested GSIDC to take up auxiliary minor repair works (mostly cosmetic) and the mild moderate and severe structural issues still remain to be addressed. (2 & 6)
    • A decision was taken to call in an expert to advise on repair methodology before any decision is taken. An expert was identified by one of the stakeholders. (7 & 9)
  • Letter from Kala Academy about GSIDC work and inviting for stakeholder’s meeting 2019

    Letter from Kala academy stating GSIDC has carried out works of the Kala academy building as per pre-arrangements of IFFI 2019 and invites to stakeholders meeting on 2nd december 2019

  • AG wishes to file another affidavit

    AG claims in court that additional evidence has come up and he wants to file another affidavit explaining the same.

  • Request from Government to include GSIDC

    Government requests GSIDC (implementing agency) to be added to the case.

  • CCF submits letter to Kala Academy

    CCF submits a letter to Kala Academy stating no architectural changes should be made to the building.

    CCF reccommends Kala Academy to bring in structural expert Dr. Arun Mennon from IIT Madras

    CCF recommends changes to the minutes to the previous meeting.

  • Court hearing

    AG informs that a decision was taken only to repair Kala Academy and not demolish it. Further it is relayed that a tender has been floated based on the recommendations of the second structural audit.

  • First stakeholder’s meeting

    Meeting with the stakeholders wherein :

    • There was an assurance from the Kala Academy Chairman (Minister Gaude) that the government will explore all options to strengthen the structure before taking a decision to demolish the structure.
    • The Minister and the Member Secretary requested CCF to come up with some design solutions to address the issues plaguing the structure – especially water seepage.
    • The Member Secretary requested unanimity among stakeholders for permission to conduct urgent repairs.
    • CCF had previously expressed no objection to imediate repairs of the areas marked as “SEVERE” in the structural reports.
    • CCF was granted access to inspect the structure only after the meeting ended.
  • Invitation to stakeholder meeting by Kala Academy

    Letter from the Member Secretary Kala Academy inviting CCF to a stakeholder meeting to discuss the structural safety audits conducted by GEC and GEM Engiserv.

    With this letter CCF obtained copies of the GEC and GEM audits.

  • CCF files an affidavit at the High court

    CCF files an affidavit with inputs on the GEC report mentioning the 2004 renovations, at the cost of 24.9 crores, declaring the work to be unscientific and substandard (the cause of the present issues) and attaching letters from notable artists and members of civil societies.

    Government seeks more time since the second report is delayed.

    Advocate General informs GEM Engiserv from Navi Mumbai have been awarded the tender to undertake the second audit.

  • Affidavit filed by the government

    Government makes an affidavit attaching Goa Engineering College’s Report

    Also declared that they will be getting second report and that as yet there is no decision to demolish the open air auditorium.

  • Court hearing

    The government and the court accept the intervention put forward by CCF. The government was requested to file an affidavit.

  • Update on petition

    Petition crosses 19000 signatures.

  • CCF’s intervention at the High court

  • High court steps in

    They summoned the AG and requested the state government to file an affidavit. They appointed Mr. V. Lawande as Amicus Curiae.

    The newspapers report this on 27th July 2019

  • The court issues a notice

    The court send a notice to AG to be present on 26th of July 2019.

    The accountant general assured the court that no hasty decisions are proposed for Kala Academy.

  • Report by GEC is produced

    GEC submitted their report which consisted of all comprehensive data including NDT and inspections. KA need not be demolished & required structural strengthening.

  • First proposal of needed step to be undertaken

    GEC informs KALA with a proposal for NDT

  • First structural inspection

    GEC acknowledged the request and performed an inspection.

  • First step for safety analysis and risk

    Kala academy requested the local Engineering School (GEC) to conduct a structural safety audit.

  • First official report of any structural safety risk

    Umesh Kholkar complaint letter- part of the slab collapsed; later on it was found that it was the false ceiling that had collapsed.

  • KA authorities request CCF views and suggestions w.r.t restoration & upgradation of KA.

  • CAG points out finanicial irregularity in Kala Academy Work

    Works tendered at 2 times the actual cost.

  • Massive leakage observed in Kala Academy

    Public outcry featured in all state newspapers. CM Pratapsinh Rane appoints Rajiv Shrikande to investigate claims.

  • Changes to Kala Academy

    Jain makes several changes to the finishes of the building. The waterproofing was once-again rushed in the same methodology as 1996. A new detail for protecting the expansion joint was developed. Accoustic Treatment of the Indoor Auditorium was completely changed on the advice of accoustic vendors, without any scientific input.

  • Uttam Jain defends the changes

  • No response from Uttam/Chirag Jain, Correa gets worried

    Mentions the change of materials, use of granite and changing of the acoustics. Structural rehabilitation & waterproofing neglected.

  • Correa met Chiraj Jain, agreed to advise them at no cost

    Chirag also asked for the drawings, which Correa gave

  • Letter from Cheif secretary explaining that they appointed Uttan Jain

    Proposal is simply carry out internal repairs and refurbishments and nothing else. Seeking Correa’s approval to proceed.

  • Parrikar Press Conference on Kala Academy on KA upgradation

    Parrikar said that Correa was too busy with international commitements to take up the work, so they have appointed Uttam Jain for the rpoject, considering Chirag Jain’s experience at the CCA office.

  • Kala Academy approach Correa for the up-gradation of Kala AcadLetter indicating that KA authorities would consult Mr Correa regarding changes in KA, however small.my

  • Waterproofing work hurried

    On account of the Monsoon and visit of the Prime Minister of India to Goa, the waterproofing work was rushed. Instead of removing the original waterproofing, a new layer was put over the old waterproofing.

  • Seepage obseved

    Seepage, primarily from the roof slabs. Correa advised the Kala Academy to appoint a local consultant to oversee the waterproofing. CEM India appointed for the work.

  • Grouting and waterproofing stopped prematurely

    On account of visit of President of India.

  • Grouting work started

  • Seepage obseved

    Seepage from the floor of the indoor auditiorium (through the chair-fitting), the control room of the Open-air Amphitheatre, and through the expansion joints in the roof-slabs.

  • N B Hadker’s letter identifying design & supervision by CPWD being cause of leakages at KA.

  • Kala Akademi building handed over to the Kala Academy Society

  • The raft foundation designed by Central PWD, New Delhi, failed due to up-thrust from ground-water. NB Hadkar appointed on Correa’s advice, designs new slab.

  • Charles Correa appointed to design Kala Akademi