MAPUSA
Facing mounting pressure, the owner of the private Prestige Arcade building near the Mapusa market has finally initiated the removal of illegal roof sheets from the building’s sixth floor.
The action comes seven months after the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) issued a demolition order against the unauthorised roofing at the commercial complex located in Morod, Mapusa.
The delay in enforcement had sparked criticism from local merchants and the public, especially after several roof sheets began to come loose again recently, raising safety concerns.
In response, MMC Chief Officer Chandrakant Shetkar served a final show-cause notice to the building owner last Friday.
The notice warned that if the illegal roof was not demolished within two days, the council would carry out the demolition on its own by Wednesday, May 28.
Prompted by this ultimatum, the building owner began removing the tin sheets from Monday.
President of the Mapusa Merchants Association (MMA), Jeetendra Falari, confirmed the development, stating, “While most of the roof sheets have been removed, sheets on part of the roof are yet to be cleared. Hopefully, it will be completed by tomorrow.”
MMA Secretary Siddesh Raut credited media scrutiny for spurring action on the long-pending issue.
“Thanks to media pressure, the dismantling of dangerous sheets behind the Mapusa market has finally started today,” Raut said.
The issue had been a point of concern for months, with merchants warning that the loose roof sheets posed a serious threat to public safety in the busy market area.
The Goan had highlighted the potential danger, bringing public and administrative attention to the situation.
As of Monday evening, the removal process was underway, with authorities expected to ensure complete compliance in the coming days.
