MAPUSA
Mapusa, a bustling town with a rich history, recently faced a close call when a portion of an old, dilapidated building’s slab collapsed, narrowly avoiding a major tragedy.
This incident has thrown the focus on the growing concern over unsafe structures that dot the town.
Fortunately, the slab collapse caused only minor injuries to one person and damaged a couple of parked vehicles.
However, the incident underscored a pressing issue: despite a 2018 request from the building owners, Koskar-Kesarkar, to the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) to demolish the hazardous structure, no action was taken for six years. It wasn't until the recent incident that the MMC finally sent a notice to the owners to either repair or demolish the building.
This incident is not an isolated one. In 2019, another old building on the busy Feira Alta State highway collapsed during the monsoon. Miraculously, it happened late on a Sunday night, sparing any casualties. Prior to the collapse, authorities were already aware of the building's condition, as a small part had fallen a month earlier.
OMINOUS LIST
Mapusa is home to several such unsafe structures. Sources within the civic body reveal there are at least 20 buildings and houses in dire need of attention. Notable among these are:
* Dempo Mansion: Located opposite the municipal garden at the main town square.
* Coscar Corner: Adjacent to the recent slab collapse site.
* Hotel Safari: Near the old municipality building.
* Ganga Apartments: Opposite the Valankani chapel.
* Junta Quarters: Behind Alankar theatre.
Even some government buildings, like the one housing the electricity department, have been declared unsafe yet continue to function, endangering both staff and the public.
Besides, along the busy roads, there are old ancestral houses, such as the one near the Krantivaar statue at Ansabhat. A portion of this house collapsed a couple of years ago. The owners, who live abroad, have left the house unoccupied.
CHALLENGE OF INACTION
One of the significant hurdles in addressing this issue is the impasse between landlords and tenants. Many landlords are willing to demolish the unsafe buildings, but tenants, fearing the loss of valuable real estate and income, refuse to vacate. This stalemate often leads to prolonged litigation, leaving the structures in a perilous state.
Moreover, the MMC’s response is hampered by bureaucratic delays and a cumbersome demolition process. The municipal council typically serves notices to owners to repair or demolish their buildings, but compliance is rare.
According to MMC’s Municipal Engineer I, Augustino Misquita, convincing tenants is a major obstacle.
“In most cases the owners never take a call as they cannot deal with the tenants. Convincing a tenant is a big hassle so the owner prefers a status quo position leaving the building to the mercy of the elements,” Misquita said.
Consequently, the civic body often resorts to sealing dangerous buildings as a preventive measure.
In extreme cases, they may vacate tenants and seal the property.
CALL FOR PROACTIVE MEASURES
Former Mapusa chairperson Sandip Falari suggests a strategic approach to tackle this issue. He advocates starting with easier cases “ buildings without tenants and those with approachable owners. He also recommends targeting unsafe houses owned by single owners first to reduce the backlog.
With around 20 unsafe buildings in Mapusa, prioritising less complicated cases could gradually mitigate the risk posed by these structures.
“We have 20-odd unsafe buildings and houses in Mapusa. The civic body must try to reduce the backlog by selecting less cumbersome cases,” Falari opined.
Falari’s measured approach aims to address the immediate dangers while paving the way for more comprehensive solutions.
The recent incidents in Mapusa serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the issue of unsafe buildings.
Proactive measures, clear policies, and cooperation between landlords, tenants, and the municipal authorities are crucial to ensuring the safety of the public and preserving the town’s structural integrity.
