More surprises and complications!

Yet again the site has thrown us another surprise for the builders to deal with. Excavation has been continuing despite the early onset of the monsoon and areas have had to be covered with large tarpaulin sheets to avoid flooding. The rain however has proved to be an easy problem compared to the huge rock which digging gradually revealed as excavations extended to cover the area required for foundations for the main dormitory blocks.

Another visit by the architect was required to review the situation. Because of the difficulty of trying to break up the rock which would have to be done by hand and the consequent time and costs involved, it was decided that it would be better to change the footprint of the block and take the wall of the new building away from the rock rather than get rid of the rock. Photos of the works are attached and although a little difficult to identify the large rock can be seen jutting out from the soil. The photos also illustrate once more the slope of the site where works are taking place.

Not all bad news though. The new plan has produced an internal redesign of the building as well. The repositioning of the toilet block allows the dormitories to have much bigger windows which will look out over the enormous view beyond into the valley below and will also provide better through ventilation. The decision has also been taken to use aluminium window frames as although these are initially more costly they will be more durable in the longer term. Wooden windows in any building in Darjeeling suffer from the non-availability of properly seasoned wood, the rainy conditions and poor workmanship – and this is without mentioning the termites!

The new plans which are shown here provide more spacious accommodation with two large dormitories each possibly accommodating 28 boys although Pema Bhante may not wish to accommodate this number.