Panaji : Following continuous heavy rainfall, a 40-year-old retaining wall opposite the Ram Temple in Chimbel collapsed early Thursday morning, endangering the lives of eight residents living in an adjacent house. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The affected ground-plus-one structure is home to two joint families. Residents say the collapse could have been prevented if government authorities had acted on time.
Panch member Sandesh Chopdekar said, “This wall was damaged in 2019. The panchayat passed a resolution and sent a letter to the PWD for urgent repairs, but the work kept getting delayed.”
According to Chopdekar, the wall is around 40 metres long. However, only 20 metres of the wall were reconstructed in 2023—and that too in portions already in good condition.
“After raising the issue repeatedly, officials kept promising the remaining work would be completed, but nothing happened,” Chopdekar added.
Resident Sagar Karekar said his family had been pleading for repairs since 2019. “We have been following up with the authorities for years. Now the talathi wants us to shift to a nearby government school, but it’s not suitable for women. We’ve asked for quarters instead,” Karekar said, that one more night in this house is a huge risk. “If it rains again like this, we may not survive till morning. The house has become hollow beneath.” Residents have appealed to the CM to intervene, saying, “We’re not asking for luxury, just safety.”
Local MLA Rudolfo Fernandes said that the home-owner had approached him recently and formalities are under way. “In 2023, we asked the residents for an NOC before work could start as the house is built on the edge of the road. Without the NOC, the contractor couldn’t proceed. Now, we’ve cleared the road with an excavator, and construction will resume as soon as possible,” Fernandes said.
