VASCO
Weak structures in the port town have endangered human lives for the third time in six months, when residents occupying the dilapidated Pushpanjali Building at Vasco had a lucky escape after the balcony of the third floor collapsed early Friday morning.
An eye witness who had gone to purchase milk from a nearby shop told The Goan that the balcony had collapsed at about 6 am.
“Luckily, there was no public movement at the time of the incident. If the balcony had to collapse at about 7 am, it would have injured many schoolchildren and their parents, who wait for the schoolbus,” said the eye witness.
“The entire building is in dilapidated condition and no one can give guarantee when the remaining portion will come down. While most occupants of the flats have shifted, there are few who are still staying and they should vacate the building before it is too late.”
Speaking to The Goan, some shopkeepers on the ground floor said the society had failed to carry out maintenance work of the building since the last several years, due to which the balcony had collapsed.
“The building has been taken over by a builder and some occupants have been settled and moved elsewhere, while others are still bargaining for more and are not ready to vacate the premises,” said a shopkeeper.
When contacted, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Deepak Naik said he and Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida along with the MMC technical staff had
visited the site and directed the residents to vacate the premises.
“This building was declared unsafe in 2011 and all residents were served eviction notices to avoid any mishap. We have directed the electricity department to disconnect power supply as the entire building is in dilapidated condition and anything can happen during the monsoon,” said Naik.
“I have called those residents still occupying the premises to the council on Saturday to inform them to vacate their flats in their own interest and to get the building inspected through reputed engineering firm or from PWD (building department),”
added Naik.
“Even after advising them, if the residents insist on staying there, they will be doing so at their own risk as the building is unsafe,” added Naik.
