The government has declared seven A-type buildings at Altinho and Bhatlem in Panjim as unsafe and has asked residents to vacate the premises immediately. The sad part is that 54 families are left in the lurch since they have been told to make their own arrangements of finding alternate residences, that too in the middle of the monsoon.
Incidentally, the NDT test of these buildings was conducted way back in July 2018, but surprisingly it took the administration one long year to serve eviction notices. The fact that these buildings, and some others, were weak was known for years, and yet authorities preferred to act during the monsoon. Probably, that’s the way the system times itself. Lest we forget, the Baina demolition drive also happened during the monsoon when hundreds were left homeless in the rains.
Panaji however is supposed to be on a different terrain altogether with a smart city taking shape. The seven buildings and the dozens of structures dotting the city which are in dilapidated condition don’t portray a ‘smart’ picture. The Goa Heritage Action Group has listed out 124 heritage buildings that the city has lost in the last decade. And the government cannot lose sight of these issues as it heads towards a major infrastructural upgrade.
Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate may be going all guns blazing against the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL), a wholly owned Government Company and Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and its CEO, but he cannot be oblivious of the bigger picture of the city. Fire-fighting the Smart City works is understandable, but what about the several promises of a better Panaji? The rains have come and the capital city continues to flood with traditional water-logged areas like Mala and Camrabhat sinking. The city continues to grapple with its garbage and is only managing temporary short-term measures. Ponjekars have been breathing free on borrowed time since Saligao Garbage Treatment Plant has agreed to accept the city garbage till it finds a solution of its own. Newly-inducted Minister for Solid Waste Management Michael Lobo is yet to fulfill his promise of setting up a mini-treatment plant in Panaji.
Altinho was once considered an elite residential colony. Dotted on the hilltop are landmarks like Bishop’s Palace, Circuit House, Goa Doordarshan, All India Radio, Joggers Park, former CM’s residence, Sunaparanta Centre of Arts, Portuguese Consulate, etc, all of which are significant highlights of this historical piece of Goa.
On the other side, Altinho has also been a home for several policemen, government servants and other low-ranking officials who are housed in A-type quarters. In the current era where real estate prices have skyrocketed, finding an alternate accommodation in and around the city would be financially unviable for this class of employees. It would have been sensible if the government could work our alternate housing at affordable budgets.
