MAPUSA
The long-awaited demolition of the dilapidated market building in Aldona will commence from Monday (July 29).
Aldona Sarpanch Ashwin De Souza announced that the dangerous structure would be brought down as part of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, addressing significant safety concerns for the community.
The urgency of the demolition became apparent last week when part of the building's concrete collapsed, prompting the panchayat to seal the site immediately.
The heavy rainfall exacerbated fears that the already-declared dangerous building could collapse, posing a severe risk to the public.
Vendors conducting business within the premises were given 24 hours to vacate following the issuance of official notices.
The panchayat acted swiftly, securing an order from the sub-divisional magistrate and deputy collector of Bardez to proceed with the demolition.
"The panchayat was compelled to take immediate action to safeguard the public after the partial collapse," Sarpanch De Souza stated. "We obtained the necessary order to demolish the structure without delay."
The scrap material from the building has been tendered, and the contract was awarded to an individual responsible for its collection.
Notably, the demolition process will be carried out manually, with no use of heavy machinery like JCBs.
"Since we are manually bringing down the building, it may take at least a week to complete the demolition work," De Souza explained.
The decision to manually demolish the building was made to ensure the safety of workers and the surrounding area.
The panchayat's prompt action and collaboration with CSR partners highlight their commitment to addressing the safety hazards posed by the dilapidated structure.
The demolition marks a crucial step in ensuring the safety and well-being of the Aldona community.
As the work begins, the community watches closely, hopeful that this initiative will pave the way for new developments and improvements in the market area. The successful demolition will not only eliminate a significant safety risk but also open up possibilities for future projects that could benefit the local economy and enhance the community's infrastructure.
