EDITORIAL
It is high time the government intervenes and finds a solution to this issue
Two balconies of an unoccupied residential building in Vasco collapsing on Friday, once again bringing into focus the issue of unsafe buildings. The building had been declared unsafe by the Mormugao Municipal Council following an inspection by the PWD.
Vasco MLA Krishna ‘Daji’ Salkar said it is high time owners of dilapidated buildings are held responsible and made accountable. Vasco is not the only place housing dilapidated structures. According to Salkar, the government can demolish such buildings, seal them, and recover the cost with penalties from the owners. Stating that Friday’s incident was an eye-opener, Salkar called for urgent measures to resolve the issue in public interest. “Public safety must be a top priority,” he said rightly.
Well, unsafe buildings are an all-Goa issue and what is worse is that some are still occupied. The matter was raised in this year’s monsoon session of the Goa assembly.
Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane had told the assembly that, at 26, Panaji has the highest number of such buildings, including the Junta House and government quarters in St Inez. “Structural stability reports have been sought from Goa Engineering College, and further action — either eviction or demolition — will be undertaken as per provisions of the City of Panaji Corporation Act, 2002,” Rane had told the House.
In Mapusa, 14 buildings have been identified as unsafe. Notices have been issued in several cases, directing owners and occupiers to vacate, barricade their premises, or submit structural stability certificates. Failure to do so will result in government action, they were warned. There are several in Margao and Vasco besides in other towns. The state government has identified 120 dangerous structures across Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa over the past five years. The local authorities have also initiated eviction and demolition procedures under the Disaster Management Act and relevant municipal laws.
In Vasco and Margao, a few have already been demolished in accordance with legal procedures, others have been issued notices to vacate. They have been threatened with action if they fail to do so. However, with some challenging the notices, very few structures have been demolished in the state. The unsafe commercial building belonging to the Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council (CCMC) was demolished in 2022, 10 years after it was declared unsafe. Delays in such matters only lead to more complications.
Collapse of any structure triggers fear and anxiety. The neighbours live in fear too, as falling structures can damage adjacent habitations or fall on the road leading to casualties or damage to property.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the assembly two months ago that the government is in the process of demolishing 110 “unsafe buildings.” That is a good step, but the authorities concerned need to put their act together.
Considering the seriousness of the matter, the government should try to find a solution as it involves public safety. It is good that the government has data on the unsafe buildings. When municipal councils have to demolish unsafe structures, they may end up facing legal hurdles, which is why it is important that the government intervenes and helps take the matter to a logical end. Otherwise, just banking on the municipalities may leave issues relating to unsafe buildings unresolved. It is high time the government took up the issue on priority and acted on it efficiently.
