MAPUSA
A portion of a concrete slab crashing down from a two-storeyed building near Mapusa’s vegetable market on Monday may have caused no injuries, but it has once again highlighted the danger posed by ageing and poorly maintained structures in the town.
The incident was not an isolated one. Portions of concrete from the same building have reportedly been peeling off and falling periodically, with a similar incident reported in July 2025. Despite repeated concerns raised by traders, the building continues to be used, with vendors and visitors moving around it daily.
The vegetable market building is, however, only one among several structures in Mapusa that have either been declared unsafe or identified as structurally vulnerable.
A fresh inspection conducted ahead of the monsoon identified 49 unsafe buildings within Mapusa municipal limits — 42 private and seven government properties. The inspection was carried out by the Mapusa Municipal Council and PWD following directions from the North Goa district administration. The question now is what action has followed these inspections.
Warnings, but little action
The Junta Quarters at Angod is one such example. The dilapidated government building was declared dangerous and the MMC began evacuating occupants in 2025. The council also sought the district administration’s assistance for its demolition.
The Electricity Department building in Mapusa had similarly been declared unsafe following a structural assessment, with the Goa Engineering College reportedly recommending that it be vacated. Only about a month ago, the entire staff was shifted to a new location. The move came after concerns over the condition of the building, where portions of cement had reportedly been falling from the ceilings and walls.
The problem is not confined to government buildings. In 2024, a portion of the Coscar Corner building collapsed, narrowly avoiding a major tragedy. The municipality had reportedly received requests concerning the dangerous structure much earlier.
The market area itself has also been on the municipality’s radar. In June 2025, officials said around nine dangerous buildings had been identified in the market area and demolition action had begun against some of them.
“Every time a slab falls, there is a scramble to barricade the area. After a few days, the barricades disappear and life returns to normal. That cannot be the definition of public safety,” said a trader, speaking on condition of anonymity.
From notices to action
The municipality has powers under the Goa Municipalities Act to issue notices to owners and occupants of dangerous structures and direct them to repair, vacate or demolish them. However, ownership disputes, tenants, litigation, financial constraints and coordination between different government agencies often delay action. “These complications cannot become an excuse for leaving people exposed to a known danger. Once a building is certified as unsafe, there should be a clear timeline for evacuation, repairs or demolition,” said a civic official.
Monday’s incident should therefore serve as a reminder that merely identifying dangerous buildings is not enough.
The MMC and district administration should prepare a time-bound action plan for all 49 structures, clearly categorising them according to the level of risk and specifying whether they require repairs, evacuation or demolition. Structures posing an immediate threat, particularly those located near busy markets, roads and pedestrian areas, should be secured or vacated without delay.
Government-owned unsafe buildings should receive priority, while private owners should be given clear deadlines to undertake repairs or demolition, failing which the authorities should proceed as permitted under law.
Mapusa has already had several warnings – from the Ansabhat house and Junta Quarters to the Electricity Department building and market structures.
