Loose metal sheets sway in gusty winds
MONSOON DANGER: Despite declaring the sixth-floor structure illegal and issuing a demolition order, the Mapusa Municipal Council has failed to act, leaving the hazardous roof intact above the bustling market.
MAPUSA
In a glaring case of administrative apathy, the Mapusa Municipal Council’s (MMC) failure to act on its own demolition order has left thousands at risk, as an illegal structure atop a prominent building in Mapusa’s market area teeters dangerously in the wake of monsoon winds.
The unauthorised roof on the sixth floor of the Prestige Arcade building at Morod, Mapusa, was ordered to be demolished by the Council seven months ago.
Yet, despite the urgency and official directives, the municipal authorities have taken no concrete action.
With monsoon rains and gusty winds now hitting the region, the tin sheets of this unlicensed structure have begun to loosen again – posing a serious threat to public safety in one of North Goa’s busiest markets.
The issue was first flagged in July 2024, when the Mapusa Merchants Association formally complained about the illegal rooftop addition.
A subsequent inquiry confirmed that the structure was constructed without the requisite permissions.
Acting on the findings, Chief Officer Chandrakant Shetkar issued a firm demolition order on October 30, 2024, under Section 184(8) of the Goa Municipalities Act, giving M/s Prestige Construction and one Tahir Isani 15 days to voluntarily remove the illegal roof – failing which the municipal council vowed to dismantle it at the owner’s cost.
However, seven months later, the illegal structure remains intact, and municipal officials have shown shocking disregard for their own directive.
As the monsoon sets in, the same metal sheets that went flying during last year’s rains – narrowly missing a disaster – are now visibly shifting again under pressure from strong winds.
The concerned traders again raised alarms as they spotted panels beginning to dislodge. They are now openly questioning whether the municipal body is waiting for a tragedy to strike before lifting a finger.
“Is this how the administration values lives? If the roof crashes into the crowd during the Friday market, who will take responsibility?” a trader asked, furious at the repeated negligence.
The July 2024 incident, when two sheets were ripped off and fell into the crowded market during a storm, was a clear warning.
Yet the authorities, despite a formal complaint to the Bardez Deputy Collector and the Chief Municipal Officer, have allowed the hazard to persist.
